From the Guidelines
Loteprednol etabonate (Alrex) is the recommended cortisone eye drop for allergy, as it has a greatly reduced risk of causing increased IOP compared to other ocular corticosteroids. According to the study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 1, ocular corticosteroids should be reserved for more severe symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis due to potential vision-threatening side effects. The modified steroid loteprednol is indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms and signs of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
Some key points to consider when prescribing cortisone eye drops include:
- They should only be used under medical supervision due to potential serious side effects with prolonged use, such as increased eye pressure, cataracts, and increased susceptibility to infections 1.
- They are generally prescribed for short-term use and require tapering rather than abrupt discontinuation.
- Non-steroidal alternatives like antihistamine eye drops are often tried first for milder allergies before resorting to cortisone drops.
- The study 1 also highlights the importance of considering the potential risks and benefits of ocular corticosteroids, and reserving their use for more severe cases of allergic conjunctivitis.
It's essential to weigh the benefits of cortisone eye drops against the potential risks and to consider alternative treatments, such as antihistamine eye drops, for milder cases of allergic conjunctivitis. As noted in the study 1, dual action ophthalmic agents, which possess both antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer activities, may be more effective in preventing or treating ocular itching than other ocular agents.
From the FDA Drug Label
Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension is indicated for the treatment of steroid-responsive inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe such as allergic conjunctivitis, acne rosacea, superficial punctate keratitis, herpes zoster keratitis, iritis, cyclitis, selected infective conjunctivitides, when the inherent hazard of steroid use is accepted to obtain an advisable diminution in edema and inflammation A placebo-controlled clinical study demonstrated that loteprednol etabonate was effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis during peak periods of pollen exposure.
The cortisone eye drop for allergy is loteprednol etabonate 2 2.
From the Research
Cortisone Eye Drops for Allergy
Key Characteristics
- Loteprednol etabonate is a modified 'soft', 'smart' ophthalmic corticosteroid formulation that retains its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action with an improved safety profile 3.
- It is designed to be rapidly converted to an inactive, nontoxic metabolite, thus minimizing adverse effects 3.
Efficacy and Safety
- Loteprednol etabonate has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis 4, 5, 6.
- It has a favorable safety profile, with a lower risk of inducing elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) or the formation of cataracts compared to traditional corticosteroids 3, 4, 7.