Eye drops containing glucocorticoids

effect

Preparations containing cortisone bind to a receptor that is located in the cell and is responsible for coding numerous proteins, some of which promote inflammation. After binding to the receptor, this protein synthesis is throttled and inhibited. The inflammation is decreasing.

application areas

Glucocorticoids with its most famous representative, cortisone, are used in the form of eye drops for many inflammatory processes in the eye. After eye surgery, eye drops containing cortisone are often given in the eyes to prevent inflammation. These substances are also used for conjunctivitis, which is allergic (allergic conjunctivitis), and for non-infectious uveitis (inflammation of the middle skin of the eye). If there is an allergic component, the eye drops containing cortisone would be combined with eye drops containing cromoglycine.

Learn more about the topic: Eye drops for an allergy

Eye drops containing cortisone include: dexamethasone (Dexapus, Dexa-sine, Isopto-Dex, Spersadex, Totocortin). These drops are to be taken one drop in each eye 4-6 times a day.

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Another substance from the group of glucocorticoids would be Fluorometholone (Efflumidex, Fluoro Ophtal, Flouropos), which should be taken 2-4 times a day with 1-2 drops in each eye.
Further preparations containing cortisone available as eye drops are Loteprednol (Lotemax, 4x 1-2 drops) and Rimexolone (Vexol, 4x1 drops). There are also drugs containing cortisone in the form of eye ointments, which are administered 2-3 times a day (Hydrocortisone: Ficortril) or 2-4 times a day (Prednisolone:Inflanefran, Predni POS, Ultracortenol) should be taken. The prednisolone preparations are also available as eye drops and can be taken as 1-2 drops 2-6 times a day.

Side effects

Depending on the dose and the duration of therapy with eye drops containing cortisone, it can be increased Intraocular pressure come, which sets in after a few weeks and is much higher after the administration of eye drops than after the administration of systemic therapy with tablets. If used for a long time, the lens may become cloudy (cataract) come. However, this effect is more pronounced with systemic cortisone administration than with local therapy with eye drops. Furthermore, after long, local application of eye drops containing cortisone, ulcerations (ulcers) of the cornea and secondary infections of the eye can occur, which can be attributed to the immune system-throttling effect of the cortisone.

Contraindications

Eye drops or ointments containing cortisone should not be used if the patient is present glaucoma (glaucoma), with prevalent corneal ulceration and with Infections of the eyecaused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.