NEED OF AWARENESS ABOUT OVER THE COUNTER STEROID INTAKE – A CASE SERIES.

Abstract

Steroids are anti-inammatory drugs widely prescribed by all physicians and are very commonly used to treat ocular as well as systemic conditions. Unmonitored use of steroids is common in situations when it is easily available over-the-counter especially in eye drop formulations, resulting in several side effects.(1) Chronic administrations of steroids in all forms can raise intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in optic neuropathy causing steroid-induced glaucoma. (2) We have reported four cases of steroid induced glaucoma that presented to the Ophthalmology OPD. The purpose is to familiarize and create awareness in all clinicians especially ophthalmologists and practitioners of alternate medicine prescribing steriods about the potential dangers of administering steroids without monitoring the eye and the dangers of irreversible blindness in some instances of habitual self-prescription by patients.