What is the recommended frequency for using prednisolone acetate (corticosteroid) 1% eye drops?

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Last updated: June 30, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops should be used at a frequency of 1-2 drops per day to minimize the risk of ocular complications such as elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and cataracts. This recommendation is based on the 2019 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the screening, monitoring, and treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis 1. The guideline conditionally recommends adding systemic therapy to taper topical glucocorticoids in children and adolescents with JIA and CAU still requiring 1-2 drops/day of prednisolone acetate 1% for uveitis control.

Some key points to consider when using prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops include:

  • The risk of elevated IOP and cataracts increases with greater frequency of topical glucocorticoid drops/day and longer duration of therapy 1
  • Topical glucocorticoid use at ≥2 drops/day was found to be a strong risk factor for IOP elevation, which increased with greater number of drops/day 1
  • Using ≤3 drops daily of prednisolone is preferred to ≥4 drops daily to decrease the risk of developing cataracts 1
  • The goal is to discontinue topical glucocorticoids due to the risk of glaucoma and cataracts, and to use them as short-term therapy ≤3 months 1

It is essential to follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions carefully to minimize the risk of adverse effects and ensure the safe and effective use of prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops. Patients should shake the bottle well before each use and avoid touching the dropper tip to prevent contamination. Gradual tapering rather than abrupt discontinuation is recommended to prevent rebound inflammation.

From the Research

Frecuencia de Uso de Gotas Oculares de Prednisolona

La frecuencia de uso de gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% puede variar dependiendo de la condición que se esté tratando. A continuación, se presentan algunos puntos clave sobre la frecuencia de uso de estas gotas oculares:

  • En el estudio 2, las gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% se administraron 4 veces al día durante 7 días, y luego 2 veces al día durante 7 días adicionales.
  • En el estudio 3, el régimen de tratamiento consistió en una o dos gotas cada hora durante la primera semana, cada 2 horas durante la segunda semana, 4 veces al día durante la tercera semana, y una vez al día durante los últimos 3 días.
  • En el estudio 4, las gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% se administraron cada hora durante la primera semana, seguido de un régimen de reducción durante 2 semanas.
  • En el estudio 5, las gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% se administraron cada 2 horas durante la primera semana, cada 4 horas durante 2 semanas, y cada 6 horas durante 30 días después de la cirugía de cataratas.

Algunos puntos importantes a considerar son:

  • La frecuencia de uso de las gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% puede variar dependiendo de la condición que se esté tratando y de la respuesta del paciente al tratamiento.
  • Es importante seguir las instrucciones del médico o del farmacéutico para el uso de estas gotas oculares.
  • La reducción gradual del uso de las gotas oculares de prednisolona acetato al 1% puede ser necesaria para evitar la recurrencia de la inflamación o otros efectos adversos.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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