Iatrogenic dry eye: late effect of topical steroid formulations.

ABSTRACT

A total of 69 eyes of 35 patients receiving local corticosteroid therapy over a period of 3 months to 2 years for different eye ailments were studied. It was observed that there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of Schirmer's test I, as well as tear film break up time values with an increase in the duration of treatment. Of the various preservatives used with the various brands of steroids it was observed that benzalkonium chloride is most commonly associated with dry eye syndrome. The complications of prolonged topical steroid therapy included steroid induced glaucoma (4 eyes), lenticular opacities (4 eyes), epitheliopathy (2 eyes) and flare up of silent viral keratitis (one eye).