'Steroid use key trigger for secondary glaucoma'

WIDESPREAD steroid use in India is emerging as a key trigger for secondary glaucoma, a sight-threatening condition that can lead to irreversible blindness, said experts on Tuesday.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @New Delhi

Steroids are commonly used for allergies, skin conditions, respiratory illnesses, and even as over-the-counter eye drops, and this can significantly raise eye pressure when used for prolonged periods.

As January is observed as Glaucoma Awareness Month, doctors across India are flagging the increasing and often unsupervised use of steroids, which is leading to secondary glaucoma — the name used to describe glaucomas that occur as a side effect or “secondary” to another underlying medical condition or trauma.

“Steroid-induced glaucoma is increasingly being seen in routine clinical practice, especially among patients who have used steroid medications or eye drops without medical supervision,” said Dr JS Titiyal, Regional Head, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, New Delhi. “What makes this dangerous is that patients feel symptom-free initially, while eye pressure continues to rise silently, causing permanent damage,” he said.