NE HEALTH BUREAU
CHENNAI, JAN 27
Doctors across India are sounding an urgent alarm over the widespread and often unsupervised use of steroids, warning that it is fast emerging as a key trigger for secondary glaucoma, a sight-threatening condition that can lead to irreversible blindness if left undetected.
- Unsupervised steroid use emerging as a major, avoidable cause of irreversible blindness
- India bears nearly one-sixth of global glaucoma burden; most cases remain undiagnosed
- Steroid eye drops, allergy and respiratory medications linked to dangerous eye pressure rise
- Experts warn damage occurs silently before symptoms appear
- Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital offers free glaucoma work-up for diabetic patients nationwide
Steroids—commonly prescribed or self-used for allergies, skin ailments, respiratory conditions, and even as over-the-counter eye drops—can significantly raise intraocular pressure when used for prolonged periods. The danger, experts caution, lies in the fact that this damage often occurs silently, without early symptoms, steadily harming the optic nerve.
India is already home to an estimated 12–13 million glaucoma patients, accounting for nearly one-sixth of the global glaucoma burden. Worldwide, glaucoma affects 75–80 million people, a figure projected to cross 110 million by 2040. Despite being the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, glaucoma remains severely underdiagnosed in India.
Alarmingly, 85–90% of glaucoma cases in the country remain undetected, doctors say. The disease progresses stealthily, and by the time vision loss becomes noticeable, permanent optic nerve damage has often already occurred, resulting in avoidable blindness, reduced quality of life, and a growing socioeconomic burden.
“We are seeing a noticeable rise in steroid-induced glaucoma, particularly in patients who use steroid medications or eye drops without medical supervision,” said Dr Soundari S, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chennai.
“What makes this dangerous is that patients feel symptom-free initially, while eye pressure continues to rise silently, causing permanent damage,” she added.
Over the past two to three years, clinicians have observed a steady rise in diagnosed glaucoma cases, driven by an ageing population, increasing prevalence of diabetes and myopia, improved diagnostics, and greater public awareness. However, specialists warn that a growing proportion of cases are secondary glaucoma linked to prolonged steroid use—a risk factor that is largely preventable through timely screening and proper medical guidance.
Glaucoma is most commonly detected in individuals above 40 years, with incidence peaking between 50 and 70 years. However, doctors are increasingly diagnosing juvenile and early-onset glaucoma, particularly among individuals with a family history or secondary triggers. While primary open-angle glaucoma remains the most common form, steroid-induced glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma are being frequently reported in clinical practice.
“Many patients don’t recognise early warning signs such as peripheral vision loss, frequent changes in spectacles, or seeing halos,” said Dr Murali Ariga, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.
“Since central vision is often unaffected initially, diagnosis gets delayed. Individuals with a history of eye trauma, including injuries during childhood, are at a higher risk and should undergo annual screening,” he added.
Doctors also caution against persistent myths—that good vision equates to healthy eyes, that glaucoma affects only the elderly, or that normal eye pressure rules out the disease. Individuals with diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, high myopia, long-term steroid use, or a history of eye injury are at significantly higher risk and require regular eye evaluations.
Marking Glaucoma Awareness Month, experts underscore that routine comprehensive eye examinations are critical. People over 40 should undergo screening every one to two years, while high-risk groups need annual evaluations. Vision tests alone are insufficient without assessing eye pressure and optic nerve health.
