Avoid taking steroids for Glaucoma

Steroids, particularly corticosteroids, can negatively impact eye health, especially for individuals with glaucoma or those at risk of developing the condition. Steroids are known to raise intraocular pressure (IOP), which is a leading cause of optic nerve damage in glaucoma. Prolonged or even short-term use of steroids, whether taken orally, as eye drops, inhaled, or injected, can trigger or worsen glaucoma. For this reason, avoiding steroids is essential for protecting your eye health.

Key Reasons to Avoid Steroids for Glaucoma:

• Increased Risk of Glaucoma: Steroids can induce glaucoma in individuals who do not currently have it. This is known as steroid-induced glaucoma, where elevated eye pressure leads to optic nerve damage.
• Elevation of Intraocular Pressure (IOP): Steroids can interfere with the natural drainage of fluid in the eye, causing IOP to rise. Persistent high IOP is one of the major factors in glaucoma progression.
• Worsening of Existing Glaucoma: For individuals already diagnosed with glaucoma, using steroids can exacerbate the condition by further increasing eye pressure and accelerating vision loss.
• Multiple Forms of Steroids Are Risky: Whether in the form of eye drops, oral medication, inhalers, or injections, all types of steroids carry the risk of increasing IOP and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

What to Do Instead:

• Seek Alternatives: If you are prescribed steroids for another medical condition, ask your healthcare provider about non-steroidal alternatives, such as NSAIDs or other anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Monitor Eye Pressure: If steroid use is unavoidable, frequent monitoring of intraocular pressure by an ophthalmologist is crucial to ensure any rise in pressure is detected early.

By avoiding steroids, especially if you are at risk for or have glaucoma, you can better protect your optic nerve and manage intraocular pressure, reducing the risk of permanent vision loss. Always consult with your doctor before using any medication that could impact your eye health.