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Ocular hypertensive response to topical dexamethasone ointment in children

Yoon Jung Lee1, Chan Yi Park, Kyung In Woo

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Hanyang University, School of Medicine, Hanyang University Kuri Hospital, Gyeonggi, Korea

Korean Journal of Ophthalmology : KJO
|September 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Dexamethasone ointment frequently caused ocular hypertension in children after eyelid surgery. Younger children (5 years or less) experienced a more significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP).

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Topical corticosteroids like dexamethasone are commonly used post-ophthalmic surgery.
  • The potential for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a known side effect of corticosteroid use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and magnitude of ocular hypertensive response to dexamethasone ointment in pediatric patients undergoing eyelid surgery.
  • To analyze factors influencing the IOP response, such as age.

Main Methods:

  • Children undergoing epiblepharon surgery received dexamethasone ointment postoperatively.
  • Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored preoperatively and at multiple time points postoperatively until it returned to baseline.
  • Patients were categorized by their IOP increase (low, intermediate, high responders).

Main Results:

  • A significant rise in IOP was observed in children treated with dexamethasone ointment.
  • The mean peak IOP was 20.6 mmHg, reached approximately 8.5 days post-surgery.
  • Children aged 5 years or younger showed a significantly greater net increase in IOP compared to older children.

Conclusions:

  • Topical dexamethasone ointment frequently induces an ocular hypertensive response in children following eyelid surgery.
  • Younger children (≤5 years) are particularly susceptible to elevated IOP from this treatment.
Abstract

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