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Can Using Cortisone Eye Drops Affect Adrenal Glands Or Cortisol Levels?
Question: Can using cortisone eye drops affect your adrenal glands or cortisol levels?
Brief Answer:
Using cortisone eye drops does not affect adrenal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Though using cortisone eye drops does not affect your adrenal glands or cortisol levels, they might have other side effects which you should know about. Please find listed below the potential side effects of using cortisone eye drops.
MINOR SIDE EFFECTS
With any medication, there is a risk of minor side effects or an allergic reaction, and steroid eye drops are no exception. Minor side effects include stinging or burning after installation, a metallic taste in the throat and blurry vision. Redness, itching or swelling in and around the eyes could be signs of an allergic reaction. Difficulty with breathing could mean a severe allergy and needs immediate treatment.
RISK OF CATARACTS
Steroid eye drops do have the potential to cause major side effects in a small percentage of the population. The risk is increased if drops are required on a long-term basis. Posterior subcapsular cataracts may form on the back surface of lens in the eye from long-term steroid use. Cataracts cause significant blurry vision and have to be removed surgically.
GLAUCOMA
In certain individuals, use of steroid drops causes eye pressure to rise. This increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve. If detected early enough, stopping the steroid drops or adding a medicine to lower eye pressure can prevent glaucoma. If the rise in pressure is not detected, permanent vision loss can occur.
INFECTION
Because the job of steroids is to suppress inflammation, the body’s natural immune response is reduced as a result. This can cause dormant viral or fungal infections in the eye to become active. Any signs of pain or a rapid decline in vision could signal an infection and need to be evaluated by your eye doctor.
FOLLOW UP
If you need to take steroid eye drops, follow all prescription dosage instructions and keep follow-up appointments. If there are any changes from what your doctor has described as normal, call immediately to catch potential side effects before they cause eye damage.
Hope this answers your query.
Do write back in case of doubts.
Dr.A.Rao Kavoor
Using cortisone eye drops does not affect adrenal.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
Though using cortisone eye drops does not affect your adrenal glands or cortisol levels, they might have other side effects which you should know about. Please find listed below the potential side effects of using cortisone eye drops.
MINOR SIDE EFFECTS
With any medication, there is a risk of minor side effects or an allergic reaction, and steroid eye drops are no exception. Minor side effects include stinging or burning after installation, a metallic taste in the throat and blurry vision. Redness, itching or swelling in and around the eyes could be signs of an allergic reaction. Difficulty with breathing could mean a severe allergy and needs immediate treatment.
RISK OF CATARACTS
Steroid eye drops do have the potential to cause major side effects in a small percentage of the population. The risk is increased if drops are required on a long-term basis. Posterior subcapsular cataracts may form on the back surface of lens in the eye from long-term steroid use. Cataracts cause significant blurry vision and have to be removed surgically.
GLAUCOMA
In certain individuals, use of steroid drops causes eye pressure to rise. This increase in eye pressure can lead to glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve. If detected early enough, stopping the steroid drops or adding a medicine to lower eye pressure can prevent glaucoma. If the rise in pressure is not detected, permanent vision loss can occur.
INFECTION
Because the job of steroids is to suppress inflammation, the body’s natural immune response is reduced as a result. This can cause dormant viral or fungal infections in the eye to become active. Any signs of pain or a rapid decline in vision could signal an infection and need to be evaluated by your eye doctor.
FOLLOW UP
If you need to take steroid eye drops, follow all prescription dosage instructions and keep follow-up appointments. If there are any changes from what your doctor has described as normal, call immediately to catch potential side effects before they cause eye damage.
Hope this answers your query.
Do write back in case of doubts.
Dr.A.Rao Kavoor
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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