Effect of Intranasal Corticosteroids on Intraocular Pressure and Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Saudi Arabia

Background Rhinitis represents a global health problem, affecting 10%-20% of the population in Saudi Arabia. Topical intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are widely used by otolaryngologists to treat patients with rhinitis for long periods. Although the effects of orally administered corticosteroids on intraocular pressure (IOP) and lens opacity are well established, the impact of INCS is not well defined. In the present study, we aimed to assess the effect of using INCS on IOP over a six-month period in patients with rhinitis. Methodology In this study, a questionnaire was distributed to 93 patients diagnosed with rhinitis in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, between February and July 2019. Thereafter, each patient was evaluated in the Ophthalmology Clinic with optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve using Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) optic disc scans, visual acuity testing, and Goldmann applanation tonometry. Pearson correlation coefficients and two-tailed tests of significance were used to assess the relationships between variables. Results All 93 patients were using a dose of two puffs at least twice daily for each nostril. Their IOPs, as depicted by Goldman applanation tonometry, were found to be within normal limits. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was also found to be normal in 95% of the participants. Conclusions Our study showed no correlation between INCS and IOP. As an increase in IOP can lead to glaucoma, our data demonstrate the safety profile of INCS use. For patients with rhinitis, this finding could change compliance to medication and reduce the burden of the disease.