Does having glaucoma impact steroid response after cataract surgery?

Patients with glaucoma were more likely to have a response to steroids after cataract surgery compared to patients without glaucoma, according to a study.

In this retrospective review, 191 patients with glaucoma and 472 patients without glaucoma and no prior incisional glaucoma surgery underwent cataract surgery. All patients were treated with topical prednisolone acetate 1% postoperatively.

Overall, 10 (2.1%) patients without glaucoma and 16 (8.4%) with glaucoma were considered steroid responders. In patients without glaucoma, longer axial length (AL) and younger age were associated with a higher incidence of steroid response, whereas longer AL and more preoperative medications were associated with steroid response in patients with glaucoma. In both groups, an AL ≥26 mm was associated with steroid response.

Reference
Bojikian K, Nobrega P, Roldan A, et al. Incidence of and risk factors for steroid response after cataract surgery in patients with and without glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2021;30(4):e159-e163.