Elevated eye pressure

[chella21279]

Hi all

I was on prednisolone for inflammation for about two weeks during the end of July through the beginning of August. My eye pressure went from 16 to 24. So my doctor advised me to stop using it. That was August 8th. Now, being that it was a month ago, does eye pressure go back to normal once steroid has been discontinued?

I have another doctors appointment soon and am a bit worried that my eye pressure is still elevated. Or may have gone even higher.

Age 35
Had thorough eye exam twice and results were all normal

[unicorn]

My eye pressure went from about 20 to 40 after two weeks of dexamethasone drops. I was prescribed a glaucoma drop for about a week to bring the pressure down just because it was so extremely high but I think it would have returned to normal anyway. Fortunately there was no long term damage even at that level and my eye pressure is fairly steady now although a little on the high side which it was in the first place. I have read literature that shows eye pressure will return to normal after steroid use so I think the chances ae you'll be fine but it's good you're getting seen again soon.

[cathy8889]

Hey

Is this intraocular pressure?

What is the normal range please?

Thanks

Cath

[littlemermaid]

Don't like WebMD normally but here's a summary on intraocular pressure - at above 21mmHg the Optometrist must refer to Ophthalmologist http://www.webmd.boots.com/eye-healt...r-hypertension. The incidence of raised IOP after topical dexamethosone varies - I've read 1 in 8 but the article below even says 30-40% incidence after 4-6wk http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/757672_4.

Chella, any optometrist can check your eye pressure has gone back to normal to put your mind at rest. A non-contact tonometer needs no topical anaesthetic drop. No need to risk it.

Thank goodness your doctor checked your IOP on prednisolone at 2wk. They did not check my 11yo's IOP after prednisolone 4/day + dexamethosone ointment 1/day until an appointment at 4wk. She even saw a GP meanwhile for systemic side effects (pressure urticaria which he treated as stress allergy with oral Loratadine - he did not diagnose that steroid eyedrops were causing it or contact the prescriber). Good to double-check everything.

This is how steroids may raise eye pressure http://www.jci.org/articles/view/69774

[chella21279]

Don't like WebMD normally but here's a summary on intraocular pressure - at above 21mmHg the Optometrist must refer to Ophthalmologist http://www.webmd.boots.com/eye-healt...r-hypertension. The incidence of raised IOP after topical dexamethosone varies - I've read 1 in 8 but the article below even says 30-40% incidence after 4-6wk http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/757672_4.

Chella, any optometrist can check your eye pressure has gone back to normal to put your mind at rest. A non-contact tonometer needs no topical anaesthetic drop. No need to risk it.

Thank goodness your doctor checked your IOP on prednisolone at 2wk. They did not check my 11yo's IOP after prednisolone 4/day + dexamethosone ointment 1/day until an appointment at 4wk. She even saw a GP meanwhile for systemic side effects (pressure urticaria which he treated as stress allergy with oral Loratadine - he did not diagnose that steroid eyedrops were causing it or contact the prescriber). Good to double-check everything.

This is how steroids may raise eye pressure http://www.jci.org/articles/view/69774

Thanks so much for your feedback! The links were very helpful. Hope your 11 y/o is doing better now. I know many GP's don't check it..but I had a feeling mine was high since I am very sensitive to almost everything and anything...so I insisted my doctor check recheck it immediately.

[chella21279]

My eye pressure went from about 20 to 40 after two weeks of dexamethasone drops. I was prescribed a glaucoma drop for about a week to bring the pressure down just because it was so extremely high but I think it would have returned to normal anyway. Fortunately there was no long term damage even at that level and my eye pressure is fairly steady now although a little on the high side which it was in the first place. I have read literature that shows eye pressure will return to normal after steroid use so I think the chances ae you'll be fine but it's good you're getting seen again soon.

aside from the elevated eye pressure incident, i hope the drops helped with your issue. luckily the drops i was on took care of my inflammation.

I've heard 20 can be high for some people but not for others. Generally, it all depends on the person. So 20 may not be so high for you

Thanks, i really hope its gone back down. I fell into a panic when I first found out.