Many doctors treating a patient for an eye disorder prescribe pred forte eye drops, a steroid anti-inflammatory medicine referred to as an ophthalmic suspension. The drops are used to reduce redness and swelling of the eye due to an irritation or inflammation. However, it is not used for viral or fungal eye diseases. As with all medications, the directions must be followed exactly and there is the potential for immediate and long-term side effects.
Administration of the drops begins with clean hands and shaking the bottle. While not touching the end of the dropper to your eye, rest the bottle against your nose or forehead. Lean your head back, lightly pull down the lower eyelid, and drop the medicine into the eye. Close the eye for a couple minutes and place the dropper into the bottle without washing it. Occasionally two different medicines are prescribed for an eye ailment. In that case, wait at least five minutes before using the additional drops or ointment. The prescription is usually for two or four applications a day and a patient should not discontinue the use until a doctor tells the patient to do so. If a dose is not taken on time, take it unless it is near to the time of the next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose. When told to discontinue the drops, the patient must comply to prevent side effects or damage to the eye.
The drops are to be used by only the person for whom it was prescribed, should be stored upright at room temperature away from sun, and placed where children do not have access to it. If you are prescribed pred forte in the future, ask your doctor if you can use drops remaining from the previous illness.
Immediate side effects include a brief burning or stinging when first applied to the eye, vision that is blurred, and in some cases an allergic reaction. Occasionally a secondary infection, glaucoma, a cataract, or slow healing of the wound may occur. Since one of the ingredients is a type of sulfite, an allergic reaction or a severe or mild asthmatic response may occur in some patients. Patients who are allergic to or currently using prednisone or steroids should discuss its use with the doctor prior to beginning pred forte. Patients who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding should also talk to the doctor prior to beginning the medicine. If use is needed for more than 10 days, the eye’s pressure should be checked frequently. If the drug is used after cataract surgery, it may slow the healing process.
While usually prescribed for a short period of time, the medicine may cause other side effects if used longer than 10 days. Since it is a steroid, long-term use may cause the face to take on a moon shape, a heavier trunk, and purple marks on the skin—all of which disappear when the medicine is stopped. In a few cases, the patient may be slowly weaned from the drug.
Pred forte eye drops are an effective medicine when administered according to directions for a short period of time.
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