Archive · 19 May 2025
Steroid Misuse Linked to Glaucoma in Young Children, AIIMS Reports
Imagine your eye is like a balloon, and sometimes the pressure inside gets too high, which can damage your sight.
Doctors are seeing this happen to kids as young as 10!
It's often because they're using steroid eye drops for allergies without a doctor's help.
These drops, and even things like skin creams or inhalers, can raise the pressure in your eye.
If you use them too much, it can lead to a condition called glaucoma, which slowly makes it hard to see.
The doctors want everyone to know that if you use steroid eye drops or creams, you need a doctor to check your eyes regularly, and if you have glaucoma you need to use eye drops for the rest of your life to keep your vision.
AIIMS Delhi reports glaucoma cases in children as young as 10 due to steroid misuse.
Unsupervised use of steroid eye drops for allergies is a major contributing factor.
Doctors stress that steroid use in various forms can raise eye pressure and cause glaucoma.
Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
Nationwide screening and awareness programs are needed to address the issue.
- Who
- Doctors at AIIMS Delhi, including Dr. Tanuj Dada and Dr. Sanjay K Mishra, are highlighting the issue.
- What
- Children are developing glaucoma due to the misuse of steroids.
- When
- The article was published on May 19, 2025.
- Where
- Cases are primarily reported in Delhi, with patients often from arid regions like Rajasthan and Haryana.
- Why
- Prolonged and unsupervised use of steroid-based eye drops, creams, and other steroid forms.
Public Awareness
Medical Intervention
Early Detection and Awareness
Public Awareness
Increased awareness of the risks of steroid misuse is important, with public screening programs to detect glaucoma early on.
Medical Intervention
Medical professionals stress the need for early intervention and lifelong treatment for those diagnosed with glaucoma.
- Affected Age Group
- Children as young as 10 years old
- Primary Cause
- Unsupervised use of steroid-based eye drops, creams, inhalers, and injections
- Location of Cases
- AIIMS Delhi; patients from arid and rural regions (Rajasthan, Haryana)
- Risks Factors for Glaucoma
- Family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, trauma
- Key Advice
- Regular eye check-ups, lifelong care for diagnosed patients