Steroid drops after PRK

Discussion in 'Laser Eye Surgery' started by Irina Paley, Dec 18, 2008.

  1. Irina Paley

    Irina Paley Guest

    Hello,

    I was wondering if somebody can explain the purpose of steroid drops
    (such as Flarex) after PRK surgery, and why the duration for the
    prescribed usage of the drops is directly proportional to the
    magnitude of the pre-surgery prescription.

    I had -7.5 in the left eye, and I have to use Flarex for almost six
    months. My right eye was -6.5, and there I have to use the drops for
    about three months.

    Just wondering.

    Thanks,
    Irina Paley
     
    Irina Paley, Dec 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Steroid eye drops are commonly prescribed after Lasik, PRK, LASEK, and
    Epi-Lasik to mute the wound response and reduce inflammation of the
    cornea.

    The larger the pre-operative refractive error, the greater the amount
    of corneal tissue that must be removed to provide correction. The
    greater the tissue removal, the greater the wound response - including
    regression. The amount of steroids and the duration of their use is
    most likely to be determined by the type of surgery (PRK requiring
    more than Lasik, large correction requiring more than small
    corrections) and the individual patient's response.

    Two important facts about steroid eye drops to remember are to use
    them exactly as directed by the doctor without stopping or reducing
    them until new doctor instructions, and that long-term steroid use can
    cause the pressure inside the eye to become elevated. Your doctor
    should check this intraocular pressure (IOP) regularly.

    Glenn Hagele
    Executive Director
    USAEyes (R)
    Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification

    "Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)

    Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

    http://www.USAEyes.org

    Lasik Bulletin Board
    http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

    Mr. Hagele is not a doctor.

    This transmission is on behalf of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance(TM) and is not endorsed, submitted, or representative of any other organization or entity. Copyright Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance(TM). All rights reserved.
    All Rights Reserved
     
    Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org, Dec 18, 2008
    #2
  3. Irina Paley

    Irina Paley Guest

    Thanks again for a clear explanation, Glenn.

    What are the problems associated with elevated IOP? I do get that
    checked at every appointment, but my appointments are about once a
    month.
     
    Irina Paley, Dec 19, 2008
    #3
  4. What are the problems associated with elevated IOP? I do get that
    Long-term elevated IOP can cause damage to the optic nerve, which can
    cause serious degradation in vision. Fortunately, it takes some time
    for this to occur and the damage is gradual.

    Not everyone responds to steroid use with elevated IOP. If at your
    one-week postop appointment you did not have an elevated IOP, it is
    not very likely that you will later. However, being checked every
    month is a good idea for as long as you are using the steroids.

    Short-term high IOP spikes will cause vision to go blank, such as if
    you press on your eyes or during Lasik when the microkeratome is
    affixed to the eye with suction. Even then, the probability of damage
    to an otherwise healthy eye is relatively low.

    Keep in mind that elevated IOP can occur naturally, commonly due to
    glaucoma, and IOP should be checked regularly.

    Glenn Hagele
    Executive Director
    USAEyes (R)
    Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification

    "Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)

    Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

    http://www.USAEyes.org

    Lasik Bulletin Board
    http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

    Mr. Hagele is not a doctor.

    This transmission is on behalf of the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance(TM) and is not endorsed, submitted, or representative of any other organization or entity. Copyright Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance(TM). All rights reserved.
    All Rights Reserved
     
    Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org, Dec 19, 2008
    #4
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.