Correlation between peak intraocular pressure following water drinking test and pulsed methylprednisolone therapy
Reviewed by Bheemanagouda Patil

Steroids have long been known to cause increased intraocular pressures (IOP) in susceptible patients. Intravenous methylprednisolone is used to treat many rheumatological conditions and one of the risks is raised intraocular pressure. It would be useful to find patients at risk. In this prospective study of 20 patients, the aim was to find out if there is any correlation between the peak intraocular pressure and the change in intraocular pressure following water drinking test and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Water drinking test was done prior to starting steroid therapy and the peak IOP and change in IOP was noted. Similar parameters were noted when patients had their pulsed steroid therapy. A significant correlation was observed between the water drinking test and intravenous methylprednisolone therapy IOP changes (r=0.5, p=0.007) and peak IOPs (r=0.6, p=0.001). Thus the authors conclude that water drinking test could be an inexpensive tool in determining the IOP peak and change following intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. 

Correlation between peak intraocular pressure of the water drinking test and peak intraocular pressure induced by intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy.
Kowsarnia S, Aflaky E, Banifatemi M, Razeghinejad MR.
OPHTHALMIC RESEARCH
2013;50(4):187-91.