Watch out for glaucoma due to corticosteroids (eye drops)

Have you ever had red eyes or itchy eyes? We recommend that you check with an ophthalmologist to determine what medicine you should use. Why should you see a doctor? Look, not all over-the-counter eye medications are safe for your eyes, for example eye drops that contain corticosteroids. Corticosteroid eye drops can cause glaucoma, even blindness if not used in the right amount and time frame. Check out the explanation about glaucoma due to corticosteroids below.

What eye drops to look out for?

Eye drops that are often used to treat red eyes, itchy eyes, or eyes that secrete a lot of dirt are types of medicine to watch out for. These eye drops generally contain corticosteroids which can cause glaucoma.

Corticosteroid itself consists of various types. Some of these include dexamethasone and prednisolone.

Corticosteroid eye drops are actually safe to use, provided you comply with all the recommendations from your doctor and pharmacist. The recommendations that must be followed include drug dosage, how long the drug is used, when the drug is used, and how the drug is stored. If you follow all the advice from your doctor and pharmacist, you don't have to worry about glaucoma due to corticosteroids.

How can glaucoma due to corticosteroids occur?

This eye medication will only be at risk of causing glaucoma if you do not follow the instructions recommended by doctors and pharmacists. Corticosteroid drugs are reported to cause increased eye pressure and pupil dilation. If this condition persists, you are at risk of developing glaucoma.

Glaucoma itself is damage to the nerves of the eye. In most cases, nerve damage to the eye is caused by high pressure on the eyeball. If not treated properly, glaucoma can lead to vision problems and blindness.

Who is most at risk for glaucoma due to corticosteroids?

All users of corticosteroid eye drops that are not recommended for use are at risk of developing glaucoma. However, some of them have a higher risk, namely for those of you who have:

• Primary open angle glaucoma
• High eye minus (above minus 6)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Rheumatic disease
• Previous history of glaucoma or in your family members

How long is it dangerous to use?

For those of you who have never used corticosteroid eye drops, using them for one new week will increase the pressure of your eyeballs. However, for those of you who repeatedly use corticosteroid eye drops, an increase in eye pressure can occur within hours after the drug is used.

Glaucoma due to corticosteroids usually does not show characteristic symptoms at first. Therefore, routine control of eye pressure during the use of corticosteroids is an early detection method that can be done. If untreated and entered in the advanced phase, the symptoms can include visual disturbances or blindness.

Can glaucoma due to corticosteroids be cured?

The glaucoma eye nerve disorder cannot be cured. Treatment for glaucoma sufferers aims to save the eye nerves that are still good and prevent blindness.

As a disease that can cause blindness, glaucoma due to corticosteroids can actually be prevented by not using eye drops containing corticosteroids without the supervision and advice of your ophthalmologist.