Steroid-induced ocular hypertension in patients with filtering blebs

Four patients developed moderate to marked (25 to 42 mm Hg) elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) while receiving chronic topical corticosteroids following filtration surgery. All of the eyes had good filtering blebs and no obvious reasons for the elevated IOP. The IOP dropped to 20 mm Hg or lower after the steroid drops were stopped. Our cases support the hypothesis that topical corticosteroid medication can cause an elevated IOP in eyes with functioning filtering blebs during the early postoperative period.