Steroids Blog

Steroid eye drops have been the mainstay of anti-inflammatory treatment for decades indicated for most types of ocular surgery and inflammatory conditions of the eye. Newer developments in eye drops now give us different “strengths” of steroid eye drops. New drug delivery systems will be giving us sustained release of steroids.

Recently the FDA approved a biodegradable sustained release drug delivery system called Ozurdex. This drug is injected into the vitreous cavity and releases dexamethasone for a limited time. It is indicated for the treatment of macular edema caused by vein occlusions. It is believed that the off-label use for intraocular inflammation is sure to follow for treatment of refractory uveitis and possible post-operative inflammation of the anterior segment and posterior segment (retina).

From Gerson Lehrman Group:

The gold-standard of anti-inflammatory eyedrops has been prednisolone acetate 1%. Prednisolone acetate 1% has been effective in controlling intraocular inflammation as well as inflammation of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva.

Durezol was recently released as a topical synthetic steroid indicated for post-surgical inflammation. The drug reportedly has no rise in intraocular pressure, yet has the same anti-inflammatory “power” as prednisolone acetate 1.

Vexol is known as a “soft” steroid. It has less anti-inflammatory properties and is indicated for treatment of inflammatory conditions of the anterior segment and surgery.

Lotemax is also a “soft” steroid, has decreased anti-inflammatory properties, does have IOP spikes and is indicated for inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment.

LASIK surgery is commonly treated with prednisolone acetate 1% 4x/day for about one week. Intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide have been popular over the past several years.

Because of recent developments in pharmaceuticals and technology, we now have more choices for treating intraocular inflammation. Treatments ranging from simple eye drops to injection and laser applications are now within reach.