2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
13 Refractive Surgery
Chapter 2: Patient Evaluation
Examination
Intraocular Pressure
The intraocular pressure (IOP) should be checked after the manifest refraction is completed and corneal topography measurements are taken. Patients with glaucoma (see Chapter 10) should be advised that during certain refractive surgery procedures, the IOP is dramatically elevated, potentially aggravating optic nerve damage. Also, topical corticosteroids are used after most refractive surgery procedures and, after a surface ablation procedure, may be used for months. Long-term use of topical corticosteroids may cause marked elevation of IOP in corticosteroid responders.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 13 - Refractive Surgery. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.