Corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension. II. An acquired form.

Thirty-five patients with unilateral closed-angle glaucoma treated by peripheral iridectomy and prophylactic peripheral iridectomy in the fellow eyes were subjected to corticosteroid provocative test in both eyes. 51% of the eyes with closed-angle glaucoma and 11% of their fellow eyes had a positive corticosteroid pressure response. The closed-angle glaucoma eyes had their fellow eyes responded differently as shown by the frequency distribution graphs and also by the difference between the corticosteroid-induced change in pressure (Wilcoxon test, z=-4.80, p less than 0.0001). These results provide evidence for an acquired form of corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension and the possible pathogenic factors for the first time. The clinical significance of an acquired form of corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension is discussed.