title: Evaluation impact of long-term usage of inhaled fluticasone propionate on ocular functions in children with asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although systemic, topical, and periocular corticosteroid administration have long been associated with ocular side effects, there has been little evidence to suggest that long-term inhaled corticosteroids can cause ocular side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long term treatment inhaled fluticasone propionate spray usage the recommended dose on some ocular functions in pediatric patients with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 266 prepubertal children with asthma who had used inhaled fluticasone propionate spray at 3-6 years intermittently. One hundred and sixty children who were newly diagnosed with asthma without any treatment made up the control group. Schirmer test results, central corneal thickness, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, cataract formation, keratometry and tear break-up time compared between study and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ages of the 266 study patients (150 male) were between 7 and 11 years. The average age (±SEM) was 8.2±1.7 years, and the mean (±SEM) a daily dose of 323 μg (range 250-450 μg) inhaled fluticasone propionate spray, with 865.2±215 g total steroid use during treatment. Eye functions including cataract formation, corneal ectasia, ocular hypertension or glaucoma, and dry eye were not observed in any of the patients in the study group and were not correlated with total steroid dosage (t=0.150, p=0.384).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that long-term intermittent treatment for 3-6 years with inhaled fluticasone propionate spray, as much as average 320 μg daily, in children with asthma seems to be safe for some eye functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division Pediatric Allergy, Bezmialem Vakıf University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. minozkaya@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ozkaya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Emin
authors.forename: Mete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fatih
authors.forename: Ozsutcü
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mustafa
authors.forename: Samanci
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nedim
authors.forename: Cekiç
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Osman
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000139:chemically induced; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone