A cross-sectional study on the adverse effects of Prolonged use of ocular corticosteroids among patients receiving eye care services at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

Abstract

Background

Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment for various ocular conditions affecting the ocular surfaces, anterior and posterior segments of the eye. This study assessed the adverse Effects of Prolonged use of ocular corticosteroids among patients receiving eye care services at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

 Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed, in which quantitative methods were used to collect data. A purposive method was used to choose the participants, a questionnaire method was used to collect data, and the Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The data was presented in the form of tables, charts, and percentages.

 Results

The majority, 28(70%) of the study participants were females, 25(62.5%) were aged 25years. The study revealed that prednisolone 20(50%), dexamethasone 10(25%), hydrocortisone 5(12.5%) and triamcinolone 5(12.5%) were the commonly used ocular corticosteroids, glaucoma 20(50%), cataract 10(25%), delayed wound healing 3(7.5%), corneal thinning 3(7.5%) and activation of infection 4(10%) were the common adverse effects of prolonged use of ocular corticosteroids.

 Conclusion

The adverse effects of prolonged use of ocular corticosteroids among patients receiving eye care services included glaucoma, cataract, activation of infection, delayed wound healing, and, lastly, corneal thinning.

 Recommendations.

Eye specialists should educate patients and other health workers about the adverse effects of prolonged use of ocular corticosteroids and should also carry out more research on their adverse effects.