1.   Those on moderate or low doses of inhaled steroids showed no increased risk of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

2.   Before inhaled steroids were available, asthma was commonly treated with oral steroids, given in tablets.

3.   A recent Canadian study published last month found high doses of inhaled steroids increase the risk of glaucoma in older patients who use them for more than three months.

4.   But the inhaled steroids are cumbersome and carry potential side effects.

5.   Experts say more research is needed to determine, among other things, at what doses inhaled steroids might pose a risk.

6.   He said that only children with the most severe asthma cases need to receive high doses of the inhaled steroids that could conceivably affect growth.

7.   He pointed out that the alternative treatment to high-dose inhaled steroids is the use of oral steroids, which have a much higher risk of side effects.

8.   Inhaled steroids are not recommended for patients with the mildest form of asthma, who account for about half of all asthma patients.

9.   National recommendations advocate the use of inhaled steroids, but suggest getting the asthma under control and then reducing medication to the lowest possible dose.

10.   Other companies are testing inhaled medications that they hope will eliminate the need for daily doses of inhaled steroids.