Effect of High-Dose Intravenous Methyl-prednisolone Treatment on Intraocular Pressure in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Relapse

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) changes with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (HIVMP) treatment given for the treatment of acute relapses in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Forty patients with clinically definite MS admitted for a new demyelinating event were included in the study. All patients were treated with HIVMP (1 g) once daily for 5 consecutive days. IOPs of 40 patients were recorded before treatment, during the course of systemic methylprednisolone administration and at the end of each month for 3 successive months, four times a day. The average IOP of each day was statistically compared to the pretreatment value. Results: The initial IOP was 13.5 ± 2.4 mm Hg before steroid administration. The IOP values tended to rise significantly during intravenous corticosteroid administration and in the first month of follow-up (p < 0.05). However, the increase remained within normal ranges and IOP values never exceeded 20 mm Hg during the follow-ups. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that MS patients treated with HIVMP have increased IOP which does not lead to conditions at risk for developing glaucoma.