Intraocular pressure following keratoplasty and corticosteroid instillation in keratoconus patients

We reviewed 59 eyes of 59 patients of keratoconus treated by penetrating keratoplasty. We paid particular attention to postoperative rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) as related to topical corticosteroid. The series comprised 46 males and 13 females. Their ages averaged 33 years. All the eyes received 0.1% betamethasone 5 times a day. All the eyes were followed up for one year or longer. IOP became elevated in 29 eyes (49%) after an average of 4.4 months. IOP could be controlled by switching to 0.1% fluorometron and/or by antiglaucoma eyedrops. Young persons, including keratoconus ones, are prone to develop steroid glaucoma. The findings show that corticosteroid eyedrops can be used after keratoplasty when due attention is paid to this possibility.