[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Ophthalmology](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/) › [Ophthalmic drugs and toxicity](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/areas/drugs/) › Steroid eye drops: glaucoma, cataract and infection

# Steroid eye drops: glaucoma, cataract and infection

- Drugs and toxicity

Steroid drops calm inflammation but can raise eye pressure, cause cataract and worsen infections. They are started only after a slit lamp exam.

Updated Nov 5, 2026

**See it in 3D:** [Lens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lens/) · [Cornea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cornea/) · [Optic disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-disc/)

## Key points

- Steroids: glaucoma, cataract, infection.
- No steroid drops without a slit lamp exam.
- Check pressure within weeks.
- Herpes dendrite + steroids = disaster.

## What it is

Corticosteroid eye drops are powerful treatments for uveitis, after eye surgery and for some allergic and corneal inflammation. Their risks are serious: in susceptible people they raise eye pressure within weeks and can cause glaucoma, they cause cataract with long use, and they worsen herpes simplex, fungal and bacterial keratitis. Systemic, inhaled, nasal and skin steroids near the eyes can cause the same effects.

## What to know

- Raised eye pressure: usually after a few weeks, in a minority of people (steroid responders); more common with glaucoma or high myopia.
- Posterior subcapsular cataract with prolonged use.
- Worsening of herpes simplex keratitis and fungal infection; delayed healing.
- Combination antibiotic-steroid drops carry the same risks.

## Toxicity and risks

- A red eye treated with steroid drops without a diagnosis can hide or worsen keratitis.
- Patients on long-term systemic or inhaled steroids should have their eye pressure checked.
- Steroid-induced glaucoma is silent: the pressure rise causes no symptoms.

## Next step / Initial management

- Do not start steroid drops for an undiagnosed red eye; refer if steroids seem needed.
- Patients on steroid drops: eye pressure check within a few weeks and during treatment, coordinated with ophthalmology.
- Stop gradually as instructed by ophthalmology; abrupt withdrawal can cause rebound inflammation.
- Long-term systemic steroids: periodic eye exam for pressure and cataract.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the three main risks of steroid eye drops?

Raised eye pressure (glaucoma), cataract and worsening of infections such as herpes simplex keratitis.

## Why must steroid drops not be started for an undiagnosed red eye?

Because they can worsen an unrecognised infectious keratitis and hide its signs.

## When should eye pressure be checked after starting steroid drops?

Within a few weeks and periodically during treatment, since the rise is silent.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/ophthalmology/steroid-eye-drops-glaucoma-cataract-and-infection/)

## Connections

## See it in 3D 3

The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.

- [Lens](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lens/)
- [Cornea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cornea/)
- [Optic disc](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/optic-disc/)

## Related 4

- [Red eye: what is serious and what is not](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/red-eye-what-is-serious-and-what-is-not/)
- [Tonometry: measuring intraocular pressure](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/tonometry-measuring-intraocular-pressure/)
- [The lens and zonules through life](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/the-lens-and-zonules-through-life/)
- [Eye drops and ointments: how they are given and absorbed](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/eye-drops-and-ointments-how-they-are-given-and-absorbed/)

## Related conditions 5

- [Open-angle glaucoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/open-angle-glaucoma/)
- [Cataract](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cataract/)
- [Keratitis and corneal ulcer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/keratitis-and-corneal-ulcer/)
- [Genital herpes (herpes simplex infection)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/genital-herpes/)
- [Uveitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/uveitis/)

## In Pharmacology 2

- [Prednisolone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/prednisolone/)
- [Dexamethasone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dexamethasone/)

[← All of ophthalmology](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/)

Educational content; not a clinical guideline and no substitute for assessment by a health professional. For sudden visual loss, severe eye pain, a chemical burn or an eye injury, go to an emergency department at once.

Sources: [Steroid-Induced Glaucoma](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430903/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/steroid-eye-drops-glaucoma-cataract-and-infection/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/steroid-eye-drops-glaucoma-cataract-and-infection/