Anterior Segment Changes Associated with Prolonged Topical Steroid Use in Patients at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

Prolonged topical ocular corticosteroid use is associated with significant complications including steroid-induced glaucoma, posterior subcapsular cataracts, and ocular surface changes. In Nigeria, unregulated access to topical steroids contributes to prolonged self-medication and iatrogenic ocular disease. This study characterizes the anterior segment changes associated with prolonged topical steroid use in patients at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional comparative design will be employed, recruiting 140 patients with documented topical steroid use exceeding three months and 140 age-matched controls without steroid use. Anterior segment assessment will include slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement using Goldmann applanation tonometry, central corneal thickness measurement, and lens status evaluation using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Logistic regression will identify predictors of steroid-related complications including duration of use and steroid potency. The study expects to find significantly elevated intraocular pressure and higher rates of posterior subcapsular cataracts in the steroid group. Findings will be submitted to the hospital management and the Kano State Ministry of Health to advocate for stricter pharmacy dispensing controls and patient education on the risks of unsupervised steroid use. This research contributes to the iatrogenic eye disease literature in North West Nigeria. Keywords: topical steroids, anterior segment, steroid-induced glaucoma, cataract, Kano