Steroid induced glaucoma: a report of two cases with a review of morbidity and prescribing in general practice.

An eight-week general practice based prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence and prevalence of various eye conditions and the frequency of prescription of different topical eye preparations. The most frequently diagnosed eye conditions were infectious conjunctivitis (35%), glaucoma (16%), allergic conjunctivitis (11%), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (9%). Betamethasone was the fourth most commonly prescribed preparation (9%). Eye preparations containing steroids accounted for 14% of prescriptions. Two cases of steroid induced glaucoma are presented as an illustration of the potential hazards of these preparations. The pathogenesis of steroid induced glaucoma is discussed.