Risk Factors That Can Lead To Glaucoma

Prolonged Corticosteroid Use

Prolonged corticosteroid use increases the risk of glaucoma development. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications used to treat autoimmune, systemic, and ocular conditions. Access to over-the-counter eye drops that contain steroids has made it impossible to monitor an individual's use of such products. Periocular, topical, and inhalation routes of administration of corticosteroids have been implicated in the increase of intraocular pressure in individuals who excessively use such products. Glaucoma induced by the use of corticosteroids is usually a type of open-angle glaucoma. Corticosteroids have adverse effects on certain membranes in the trabecular meshwork that make it difficult for fluid to drain from the eye. These medications also promote expression of certain extracellular proteins that obstruct the meshwork further. In addition, corticosteroids stop the phagocytotic process the endothelial cells in the trabecular meshwork utilize to clear aqueous debris. A combination of any of these factors is what produces the risk increase in individuals who use corticosteroids for an extended duration.

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