No Significant Ocular Side Effects After 2 Years of Nasal Steroids Use By Children With Allergic Rhinitis

Treatment Options for Allergic Rhinitis (click to enlarge the image).

The study group included 150 children (8-15 years of age) who had used intermittent intranasal budesonide for more than 2 years for allergic rhinitis.

The average age was 11.7 years and the mean steroid dosage used was 93 μg daily with 42 g total steroid use during treatment.

There was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups according to ocular findings. Relevant eye pathology including cataract formation, corneal ectasia, ocular hypertension or glaucoma, and dry eye were not observed in any of the patients in the study group.

A 2-year treatment of children with allergic rhinitis prescribed intermittent intranasal budesonide at an average daily dose of approximately 100 μg is not associated with ocular side effects such as cataract, glaucoma, corneal ectasia, and abnormal tear function.

References:

Lack of Ocular Side Effects After 2 Years of Topical Steroids for Allergic Rhinitis. Ozkaya E, Ozsutcu M, Mete F. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2010 Oct 21:1-7. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20101018-03.

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