Ocular hypertension is one of the most important drawbacks of using corticosteroid drops in ophthalmology and attention is given to minimize this complication by introducing new preparations to the market that with the same potency has the least effect on intraocular pressure. This claim should be evaluated before acceptance, as ignorant usage can result in irreversible complications. This consideration is especially important in candidates of keratorefractive surgery due to their young, healthy nature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ocular hypertensive effect of the most used corticosteroid drops after keratorefractive surgery.

In this double blind clinical intervention 300 eyes of 150 patients were included and patients randomly grouped in 3 categories based on using one of the 3 drops (Betamethasone 0.1%, Fluorometholone 0.1% and Loteprednol Etabonate 0.5%) after myopic keratorefractive surgery, every 6 hours. Intraocular pressure measured 2, 4 and 6 weeks post surgery.22 mmhg was determined as the threshold IOP for starting antiglaucoma medication.

Loteprednol and Fluorometholone were associated with the most and least increase in intraocular pressure respectively. Highest pressures detected 4 weeks after surgery in Betamethasone and Loteprednol group and 6 weeks in Fluorometholone group.

Loteprednol Etabonate was associated with the highest pressures detected 4 weeks after surgery and Fluorometholone was the safest among the 3 examined steroid drops.