A very early steroid responder after cataract surgery: a case report

BACKGROUND: Increased intraocular pressure (IOP), a side effect of corticosteroid eye drops, typically develops during the first few weeks of administration, and steroid response is not generally considered a cause of increased IOP immediately after cataract surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, I report a rare case of increased IOP due to steroid eye drops immediately after surgery. A man in his 80s presented with vision loss. Bilateral cataracts and pseudoexfoliation syndrome were confirmed. Postoperative eye drops including steroid eye drops were started immediately after cataract surgery in the right eye. High IOP was observed at the next and subsequent morning visits, but IOP normalized when steroid eye drops were discontinued. After surgery on the left eye, steroids were not administered postoperatively, and no increase in IOP was observed. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights that a very early steroid response may be potential cause of elevated IOP immediately after cataract surgery.