Fluorometholone eye drops for inflammation

About fluorometholone eye drops

Fluorometholone eye drops are used to treat short-term inflammatory eye conditions. They are usually prescribed by an eye specialist. They contain a corticosteroid (sometimes called a 'steroid') which helps relieve inflammation, redness and irritation.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using the eye drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops or other medicine.

• If you think you may have an eye infection.

• If you have damaged corneas.

• Si usas lentes de contacto blandos.

• Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

1. Wash your hands well before you use the drops.

2. Shake the bottle well and then remove the cap.

3. Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

4. Sostén la botella boca abajo cerca de tu ojo. Intenta no tocar tu ojo mientras haces esto.

5. Aplica suficiente presión para liberar una gota en tu ojo. Solo usa una segunda gota si la primera no entró en tu ojo.

6. Close your eye for a minute or two and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.

7. Repite el proceso en tu otro ojo si te han indicado usar las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Coloca de nuevo la tapa.

• Before you use the eye drops, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the eye drops and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using them.

• Use the eye drops exactly as your doctor tells you to. Unless you have been told otherwise, use the drops every hour you are awake on the first two days until your symptoms are controlled and then 2-4 times a day for the next few days.

• Fluorometholone eye drops are only meant to be used for a short period of time. Do not use them for longer than one week unless your doctor advises you otherwise. This is because they can cause problems within your eye when used for longer than recommended.

• Take care not to touch the tip of the dropper with your eye, fingers or any other surface. This will help to prevent the risk of infection.

• When first put in, eye drops can cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear but make sure you can see properly before you drive and before you use tools or machines, as otherwise you may put yourself and others at risk.

• If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and may not have the intended effect.

• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, speak again with your doctor.

• If you normally wear contact lenses, do not wear them again until your doctor advises you do so. There are two reasons for this - you should not wear lenses while your eyes are inflamed, and bottles of eye drops contain a preservative which can affect some soft contact lenses.

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with fluorometholone eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a new medicine but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse a las gotas para los ojos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Eye drops only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened so throw away the bottle after this time, even if there is some solution left. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.