Effect
Preparations containing cortisone bind to a receptor located in the cell, which is responsible for the coding of numerous proteins, some of which promote inflammation. After binding to the receptor, this protein synthesis is throttled and inhibited. The inflammation is reduced.
Glucocorticoids with its best-known representative, cortisone, are used in the form of eye drops for many inflammatory processes in the eye. After eye operations, eye drops containing cortisone are often given into the eyes to prevent inflammation. Furthermore, these substances are also used in conjunctivitis, which is caused by allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), and in non-infectious uveitis (inflammation of the middle eye skin).
If an allergic component is present, the eye drops containing cortisone would be combined with eye drops containing cromoglycine. Among the cortisone-containing eye drops belong: Dexamethasone (Dexapos, Dexa-sine, Isopto-Dex, Spersadex, Totocortin). These drops should be taken 4-6 times a day, one drop in each eye.
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. Other cortisone-containing preparations available as eye drops are Loteprednol (Lotemax, 4x 1-2 drops) and Rimexolon (Vexol, 4×1 drops). There are also cortisone-containing medications in the form of eye ointments which should be taken 2-3 times a day (hydrocortisone: Ficortril) or 2-4 times a day (prednisolone: Inflanefran, Predni POS, Ultracortenol). Prednisolone preparations are also available as eye drops and can be taken 2-6 times a day at 1-2 drops.
Side effects
Depending on the dose and the duration of a therapy with cortisone-containing eye drops, an increased intraocular pressure can occur, which is already apparent 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 very long time, a clouding of the lens (cataract) may occur. However, this effect is more pronounced with systemic cortisone administration than with local therapy with eye drops. Furthermore, after long, local application of cortisone-containing eye drops, ulcerations (ulcers) of the cornea as well as secondary infections of the eye can occur, which are due to the immune-system-dampening effect of cortisone.
