Abuse of topical steroids in VKC resulting in steroid induced glaucoma in paediatric age group

Introduction

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is bilateral, interstitial, self-limiting allergic inflammation of the conjunctiva having periodic seasonal incidence usually seen in children around 4 to 20 years.1

It is mainly type 1 mediated hypersensitivity reaction to pollen allergens usually seen in subjects with a atopic background such as asthma, eczema.2 More commonly seen in summer hence known as warm weather conjunctivitis presents with a marked burning and itching sensation. Signs can be described in 3 forms palpebral, bulbar and mixed forms.3

The treatment of the VKC includes avoiding the causative agents, cold fomentation, mast cell stabilizers, antihistamines, NSAIDS, lubricants. Up to 90% of the subjects require corticosteroids during the course of the disease.4

But due to its potency, high effectiveness and early symptomatic treatment corticosteroids are abused without the knowledge of its vision threatening complications mainly cataract and glaucoma. Usually prescribed by pharmacy, general practitioners and quacks without the knowledge of its complications.5

Vision loss resulting from cataract is reversible and relatively easy to manage but glaucoma is often recognised late leaving patients with permanent visual impairment.6

Current therapy of ocular allergy involves elimination of the offending allergen, modulation of the immune system, and pharmacologic inhibition of the chemical mediators and rebamipide can be effective in VKC with giant papillae not responding to topical steroid.7, 8

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study conducted from July 2018 to August 2019. 600 children diagnosed with VKC between the age group of 8 to 16 years on treatment for nearly 2 years were included.

Patients using topical steroids like dexamethasone were included in group 1 and Patients using unknown steroids were included in group, based on the history of drug use and coexisting presentation of ocular hypertension it was presumed that it might be steroid for group 2.

The patients who met the 2 out of the 3 following criteria were included in the study: IOP > 21mmHg on more than 2 occasions, Optic nerve head changes due to glaucoma, Visual field defects analyzed by Humphrey automated perimeter. The patients having angle anomaly, history of congenital or developmental glaucoma, Trauma and Uveitis were not taken for the study.

Detailed demographic data about symptoms of marked burning and itching sensation, mild photophobia, lacrimation, stringy discharge and heaviness of lids and History of steroid use including drug name, duration, and frequency and the clinical details were noted down and entered into a standard clinical proforma. Uncooperative patients were excluded from the study.

Ophthalmic examination included, Best Corrected Visual Acuity was done by Snellen’s chart, Slit lamp bio microscopy, Goldman Applanation Tonometry, Fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscope or 90D lens, Gonioscopy and Visual field defects by Humphreys automated perimeter.

The type of the VKC presentation was noted as palpebral, bulbar and mixed. Palpebral when the upper tarsal conjunctiva of both the eyes was involved giving a cobble stone appearance and the bulbar form when dusky red triangular congestion was present in bulbar conjunctiva with presence of limbal papillae and the mixed form when both bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva was involved

Results

This study included total of 600 patients. It was found that 360 of 600 patients were using unknown steroids, 260 out of 600 were under the usage of known steroids (dexamethasone).

380 out of 600 were male and 220 were female. The duration of usage was 690 and 660 days in group 1 and group 2 respectively. IOP in the group 1 was found to be less than 30 in 6 patients between 30-40 in 17 patients and more than 40 in 2 patients, whereas in group 2 it was found to be less than 30 in 2 patients, between 30-40 in 9 patients and more than 40 in 3 patients.

It was also found that mean cupping in group 1 was 56 ± 0.22 whereas in group 2 it was .48 ± 0.25. the advanced cupping seen in group 1 was 0.75 ± 0.16 and 0.67 ± 0.18 in group 2.

Mean best corrected visual acuity was found to be 0.62 and 0.58 in group 1 and group 2 respectively. Total number of patients affected were 25 and 14 in group 1 and group 2 respectively.

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Discussion

This study highlights the   visual   complications caused by abuse of steroids I children in Indian   rural   population. We studied children of VKC having raised IOP who were already using topical steroids prescribed somewhere else. These topical steroids were prescribed without counseling the parents or patients about the disease or asymptomatic complications associated with steroid use.

The patients continued to use the steroids, because of the quick relief   in symptoms of VKC. Injudicious use of steroids and inadequate monitoring led to steroid induced complications like ocular hypertension, glaucoma and cataract affecting vision markedly

Vision loss resulting from cataract is reversible and relatively easy to manage but glaucoma is often recognized late leaving patients with permanent visual impairment Pradhnya Sen et al, showed that out of 1423 patients, prevalence of steroid induced glaucoma was 3.3% and they concluded that in patients using high potent steroids like dexamethasone and betamethasone have high risk whereas the use of low potency steroid have low risk of steroid induced glaucoma. In our study the prevalence is around 4.16%.5

Marcuss ang et al, in their study showed 41(28.3%) out of 145 patients developed ocular hypertension in which 8(5.5%) patients progressed to glaucoma.5

Corticosteroid induced IOP elevation is an iatrogenic condition caused by decreased trabecular outflow, usually reversible if the steroid therapy is discontinued earlier but when unrecognised causes primary open angle glaucoma, ultimately leading to glaucomatous optic atrophy which is irreversible.5

Vision loss resulting from the cataract is reversible and relatively easy to manage but glaucoma is often recognised late leaving patients with permanent visual impairment.5

Conclusion

Steroid induced glaucoma is an important complication seen in patients with VKC due to prolonged use of topical steroids. These children will have long term visual impairment and there will be financial burden to treat complications.5 Therefore, measures need to be taken collectively by patients, ophthalmologists and the government to prevent steroid misuse. It can be prevented by proper counseling, regular follow up and monitoring the IOP along with visual field testing.

Topical corticosteroids are often used during flare-ups in combination with mast cell stabilizers as maintenance treatment for VKC.9

The pathogenesis of VKC is complex and involves environmental, endocrine, racial, and genetic factors.10 Use of the weak steroids can be helpful for the prevention the disease at the earliest. Thus, the usage of topical steroids without proper consultation or the long term in judicial usage should be avoided. And if the patients are on the therapy regular IOP monitoring along with the monitoring of the above-mentioned parameters should be done so that timely measures can be taken to prevent permanent visual loss

Conflicts of Interest

All contributing authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Source of Funding

None.