‘Don’t take Unprescribed Steroids’

Reusing a prescribed steroid by an ophthalmologist for an allergy or an infection in the eye is the easiest way out for most patients. But that can be dangerous as every time the allergy or infection will not be the same. Steroids like dexamethasone and prednisolone are the most abused over the counter drugs in India.

Dr Manoj Chandra Mathur, senior consultant (Glaucoma), comprehensive ophthalmology explains, “These two drugs are widely picked up over the counter. Its indiscriminate use is the reason for 10 per cent of the people suffering from secondary glaucoma in India. To avoid a check up by ophthalmologist many a times people depend on the drops prescribed by chemists and use it without realising the damage that they are doing to the eye.”

The side-effects are often not understood by people and it is only when there is loss of vision that they report to doctors. At L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital, experts have been seeing a lot of cases of abuse of steroids. Dr Sirisha Senthil, consultant at VST Centre for Glaucoma at the institute says, “We see a lot of children who come with problems due to abuse of steroids. This is very alarming as many a time some of them have lost 80 per cent of their vision.”

Similarly, adults who use steroids for bronchial asthma, renal problems like nephrotic syndrome or renal transplant, need to monitor the effect of steroids on their eyes. Also in dermatological conditions, prolonged use of steroid ointments or oral medications requires a proper check. Those suffering from joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis and other vascular diseases require periodic evaluation for glaucoma and cataract. Certain antibiotics like gentamicin must not be used always as they can damage the eye.