Modulation of Intraocular Pressure Following Short-Term Periocular Triamcinolone 0.025% in Oculoplastic Surgery.

[PURPOSE] Corticosteroid use is commonly associated with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Our retrospective study aims to evaluate the effect of short-term periocular topical triamcinolone acetonide (TA) use on IOP.

[METHODS] A retrospective review was conducted of patients treated with periocular 0.025% triamcinolone cream between 2023 and 2024 at a single specialty practice. Patients with baseline and follow-up IOP assessments at their visits were included. Factors such as age, dosage, procedure type, application site, and concomitant TA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) subcutaneous injections or neomycin-polymyxin B-dexamethasone drops were analyzed.

[RESULTS] A total of 62 patients involving 120 eyes met the inclusion criteria. The overall mean change in IOP (14.35 to 14.32 mm Hg) was not statistically significant ( t = 0.085, p = 0.93). IOP did not significantly increase with age ( r = 0.16, p = 0.21), once daily ( B = -3.3, p = 0.13), or twice daily dosing ( B = -3.5, p = 0.26), nor with concomitant TA and 5-FU injection ( B = -1.5, p = 0.40) or topical steroid drops ( B = -1.5, p = 0.26). Procedure type was not associated with significant IOP changes, specifically upper eyelid blepharoplasty ( B = 0.76, p = 0.39), CO 2 laser resurfacing ( B = 1.2, p = 0.39), and lower eyelid blepharoplasty ( B = 1.9, p = 0.14). Application of TA to the bilateral upper eyelids caused a significant increase in IOP of 1.7 mm Hg ( t = 3.7, p = 0.003), but the maximum IOP was within the normal range (16 mm Hg).

[CONCLUSIONS] Periocular application of TA cream is not associated with clinically significant changes in IOP when used for limited periods of time.