| Abstract: | PURPOSE: The evaluation of frequency and amplitude of IOP elevations in patients after RK who were administrated topically dexamethasone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RK was carried out in 90 eyes (55 patients). All these patients had been treated topically with 0.1% dexamethasone (Maxitrol, Alcon) since the first day after surgery till the period of 3 months in lowering doses. IOP was measured using air-puff tonometer (Reichert, USA) before surgery and on 1, 2, 3, 14, 30, 50, 90 day after RK. In case of IOP elevations the measurements were made more often. RESULTS: The mean IOP before surgery was 14.88 +/- 2.86 mm Hg for women and 16.14 +/- 2.83 mm Hg for men. In the period of 3 months after RK maximum IOP increased significantly both for women (mean: 21.46 +/- 7.51 mm Hg) and men (mean: 26.14 +/- 8.87 mm Hg). IOP higher than 25 mm Hg was observed in 35 eyes (37.7%). These IOP elevations were observed more often in men than women but this difference was not statistically significant. There was no correlation between frequency of IOP elevations and preoperative refractive error or the age of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The usage of steroids after RK requires careful monitoring of IOP. This subject needs further studies to answer if these IOP elevations can damage eye functions. |
