Modulation of Intraocular Pressure Following Short-Term Periocular Triamcinolone 0.025% in Oculoplastic Surgery.

Abstract

Purpose: Corticosteroid use is commonly associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Our retrospective study aims to evaluate the effect of short-term periocular topical triamcinolone acetonide (TA) use on IOP.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated with periocular 0.025% triamcinolone cream between 2023 and 2024 at a single specialty practice. Patients with baseline and follow-up IOP assessments at their visits were included. Factors such as age, dosage, procedure type, application site, and concomitant TA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) subcutaneous injections or neomycin-polymyxin B-dexamethasone drops were analyzed.

Results: A total of 62 patients involving 120 eyes met the inclusion criteria. The overall mean change in IOP (14.35 to 14.32 mm Hg) was not statistically significant (t = 0.085, p = 0.93). IOP did not significantly increase with age (r = 0.16, p = 0.21), once daily (B = -3.3, p = 0.13), or twice daily dosing (B = -3.5, p = 0.26), nor with concomitant TA and 5-FU injection (B = -1.5, p = 0.40) or topical steroid drops (B = -1.5, p = 0.26). Procedure type was not associated with significant IOP changes, specifically upper eyelid blepharoplasty (B = 0.76, p = 0.39), CO2 laser resurfacing (B = 1.2, p = 0.39), and lower eyelid blepharoplasty (B = 1.9, p = 0.14). Application of TA to the bilateral upper eyelids caused a significant increase in IOP of 1.7 mm Hg (t = 3.7, p = 0.003), but the maximum IOP was within the normal range (16 mm Hg).

Conclusions: Periocular application of TA cream is not associated with clinically significant changes in IOP when used for limited periods of time.