The effect of fluticasone furoate nasal spray on the intraocular pressure in patients of allergic rhinitis: A cross sectional study from eastern India

Background: Rhinoconjunctivitis is a common health problem that plagues the lives of children and adolescents alike with a significant impairment of the quality of life. Purpose: Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intranasal corticosteroid, fluticasone furoate, on the change of IOP in allergic rhinitis patients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried at the Ophthalmology outpatient department of a Government Medical College in West Bengal involving all consecutive patients attending ENT OPD for allergic rhinitis of age group 12 years and above and prescribed fluticasone furoate nasal spray. The IOP of patients were measured before and after start of steroid nasal spray and follow up was done at regular interval. One and half year and follow up was done on 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week respectively. Results: A total of 108 patients were selected for the study, out of which 100 remained till the end of all follow ups. The IOP for each eye was compared with baseline IOP values (RE: 16.02±2.29, LE: 16.04±2.20) and at the end of the study the P value for each follow up was calculated. The t test revealed that there was no significant change (increase/decrease) in IOP in any eye over the course of time. r values shows that there was a strong positive linear correlation of IOP between and within the eyes at different levels of assessment after the starting of the treatment. Even after age group adjustment, there was no statistical difference in IOP between the eyes among the various age groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrates no statistically significant increase in IOP after the administration of fluticasone furoate nasal spray. We believe, therefore, that fluticasone furoate administered for a short time for the treatment of nasal allergy, is safe in terms of its effect on IOP in the Indian population.