Relationship between post-op central corneal thickness and steroid-induced ocular hypertension following myopic photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose: Purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between Post-op central corneal thickness and steroid-induced ocular hypertension following myopic photorefractive keratectomy. Methods: This longitudinal analytical study was carried on 50 patients, both gender and age ranging from 20-40 years who had undergone myopic PRK refractive surgery. The data collected from The Department of Ophthalmology in Madina Teaching Hospital Faisalabad in the duration of 11 months from July 2019 to May 2020. IOP measured by Goldmann applanation tonometer. Recorded IOP greater than 21mmHg was considered as Ocular hypertension (OHT). The post-Op follow-up was conducted 1 day, 1 week, 2-3 weeks, and 4-6 weeks. The CCT and IOP was evaluated carefully. Data was noted on Performa. Data was analyzed by using Descriptive and Repeated Measures ANOVA by using the latest version 21 of SPSS. Results: Out of 50 patients’ 46% were males and 54% were females. The mean score of CCT pre & post operatively for right eye and left eye was 529.28±34.74 & 462.56±40.20 and 529.18±37.2, 462.44±42.60 respectively. Statistically significant effect was seen on post-op central corneal thickness and steroid induced ocular hypertension, according to the results of repeated measure ANOVA. Thinner corneas were more susceptible to steroids induced OHT. In various post-op central corneal thickness, it was observed that patients with thinner corneal thickness ranges 413±4.24 to 449.33±48.29 in right eye and 455.8±56.42 to 456.83±50.52 are more affected by topical steroids used. Males were more affected than females due to decreased central corneal thickness. Elderly patients were more susceptible to steroid-induced ocular hypertension post-operatively. Conclusion: Post-op steroid induced ocular hypertension is affecting by central corneal thickness. Male and elderly individual are more susceptible to steroid-induced ocular hypertension following myopic PRK. Post-Op use of topical steroids cause ocular hypertension in thinner corneas