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Steroid Misuse Emerging as a Key Trigger for Secondary Glaucoma, Say Doctors

Bengaluru | January 20, 2026:
Doctors across India have raised serious concern over the growing and often unsupervised use of steroid medications, warning that it is fast emerging as a significant cause of secondary glaucoma — a sight-threatening eye disease that can lead to irreversible blindness if left undetected.

Steroids, commonly prescribed or self-administered for allergies, skin disorders, respiratory conditions and even used as over-the-counter eye drops, are known to elevate intraocular pressure when used over prolonged periods. Experts caution that this pressure build-up often goes unnoticed by patients, silently damaging the optic nerve over time.

India already carries a substantial glaucoma burden, with an estimated 12–13 million people affected — nearly one-sixth of the global total. Worldwide, glaucoma impacts approximately 75–80 million individuals, a figure projected to exceed 110 million by 2040. Despite being the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, glaucoma remains grossly underdiagnosed in India.

Doctors highlight that nearly 85–90 per cent of glaucoma cases in the country go undetected. Since the disease progresses without early symptoms, patients often seek medical attention only after significant and permanent vision loss has occurred, resulting in avoidable disability and socioeconomic consequences.

“We are witnessing a clear increase in steroid-induced glaucoma, particularly among patients using steroid eye drops or medications without medical supervision,” said Dr Sandhya ES, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Bengaluru. “The danger lies in the absence of early symptoms — patients feel normal even as eye pressure rises steadily, causing irreversible optic nerve damage,” she added.

Over the past two to three years, ophthalmologists have reported a steady rise in diagnosed glaucoma cases, attributed to an ageing population, increasing rates of diabetes and myopia, better diagnostic tools and growing awareness. However, specialists warn that a significant proportion of new cases are now linked to secondary glaucoma caused by prolonged or inappropriate steroid use — a largely preventable risk with timely screening and guidance.

Glaucoma is most commonly detected in individuals over 40, with peak incidence between 50 and 70 years. That said, doctors are increasingly identifying juvenile and early-onset cases, particularly among those with a family history or secondary risk factors. Primary open-angle glaucoma remains the most common form, followed by angle-closure glaucoma, with steroid-induced and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma also frequently seen in clinical practice.

“Early warning signs such as peripheral vision loss, frequent changes in spectacle power or seeing halos around lights are often ignored,” Dr Sandhya noted. “Since central vision remains intact initially, diagnosis is frequently delayed.”

Experts also cautioned against common misconceptions — including the belief that good vision equals 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, including childhood trauma, are considered high-risk and advised regular eye examinations.

As part of Glaucoma Awareness Month, doctors emphasised the importance of routine comprehensive eye check-ups. Those above 40 years are advised screening every one to two years, while high-risk individuals should undergo annual evaluations. Vision testing alone is insufficient without assessment of eye pressure and optic nerve health.
To promote early detection, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital is offering a free glaucoma work-up for diabetic patients across India as part of its awareness initiative. The offer is valid until February 15, 2026. Appointments can be booked by calling 95949 01868.

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