Complications of intravitreal steroid injections

Elevation of intraocular pressure after intravitreal steroid injection can commonly be controlled with topical glaucoma medications. Cataract progression is common in patients after intravitreal injection of corticosteroid; however, findings show these patients are at no additional risk for cataract surgery complications. Therefore, these do not appear to be major contraindications. However, because 30% to 50% of patients experience intraocular pressure rise up to a few months postinjection, and patients are at higher risk for complications such as endophthalmitis, optometrists should be aware of appropriate management after this increasingly utilized therapeutic procedure.