Incidence of and Risk Factors for Steroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension Following Cataract Surgery in 150 Patients Without Glaucoma in Cambodia: A Prospective Study

Virabot SOK, Tithsya HUN, Bunrong SRUN, Channdarith KITH, Kimsreng PRAK, Guechlaing CHEA, Sourn NGETH, Tharith CHAN, Leng UN, Kossama CHUKMOL, Amarin MAR, Sothea AIM, Saly SAINT, Piseth KONG

Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to report the incidence of and risk factors for steroid-induced ocular hypertension in Cambodian patients without glaucoma after cataract surgery. Study Design: A hospital-based prospective observational study. Material and Methods: This study observes the changes in postoperative intraocular pressure in 150 non-glaucomatous patients who underwent phacoemulsification or small manual incision cataract surgeries at Preah Ang Duong Hospital for the incidence of steroid-induced ocular hypertension (defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) higher than 21 mmHg) after using topical prednisolone 1% or dexamethasone 0.1% for 1 month. In addition, risk factors were analyzed. Results: Among 150 patients, 7 patients (4.67%) showed increased intraocular pressure during our study, among whom the younger age group (in their 40s or under), and choice of steroid use (dexamethasone 0.1%) were found to be risk factors. However, all of our steroid-induced ocular hypertension patients had their intraocular pressure notably back to normal (<21 mmHg) after 2 weeks of steroid cessation. Conclusion: This study shows that topical steroid could be safely used by cataract surgeons postoperatively in non-glaucomatous patients with regards to steroid-induced ocular hypertension as the risk is relatively low (4.67%) and the patients? intraocular pressure will return to normal limits upon cessation of steroid. Although some precautions should be taken with patients in their 40s or under and with a choice of steroid, dexamethasone.

Keywords: Cataract, Steroid, Ocular Hypertension