6 Corticosteroid (Steroid) Eye Drops: Uses, Formulations, and How to Save

Eye inflammation can show up in a lot of ways: blurry vision, light sensitivity, or even burning. Sometimes, it’s triggered by eye surgery or an injury. In other cases, it’s due to an infection or a flare-up of a chronic condition. Whatever the cause, eye inflammation can be painful and disruptive.

Corticosteroid (steroid) eye drops are one of the go-to treatments eye specialists turn to when they need to lessen inflammation quickly. These prescription eye drops work by calming the immune response in the eye, which helps reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort. But they’re not a one-size-fits-all fix: Some steroid eye drops are better suited to certain conditions, and long-term use comes with some risks, including increased eye pressure. That’s why they’re usually prescribed and monitored by an eye care specialist.

Here, we’ll cover six steroid eye drops, how they can help, and ways you can save. Whether you’re managing a flare-up or recovering from a procedure, understanding your treatment options can help you protect your vision and avoid complications.

1. Prednisolone

Prednisolone is one of the most commonly prescribed steroid eye drops. It’s often used after eye surgery or to treat uveitis, a form of eye inflammation. You generally apply 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 times daily. Most people use it for a short period of time

Prednisolone comes in two main formulations: prednisolone acetate and prednisolone sodium phosphate. The acetate form is more potent and penetrates the eye better, so it's often preferred for inflammation that’s deeper in the eye.

Commercially available prednisolone eye drops include: 

• Generic prednisolone acetate

• Generic prednisolone sodium phosphate

• Pred Forte, a brand-name version of prednisolone acetate

• Pred Mild, a brand-name version of prednisolone acetate

• Omnipred, a brand-name version of prednisolone acetate

2. Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a relatively potent steroid eye drop. It can be used on its own to treat different types of eye inflammation, or it may be combined with antibiotics to help manage bacterial eye infections.

Stand-alone dexamethasone eye drops include generic dexamethasone solution and brand-name Maxidex suspension. You’ll administer 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) several times per day. Treatment may last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks.

Combination dexamethasone products come as eye drops and eye ointments, and they’re also applied several times per day. Commercially available options include:

• Generic dexamethasone / tobramycin

• Generic dexamethasone / neomycin / polymyxin B

• TobraDex, a brand-name version of dexamethasone / tobramycin

• TobraDex ST, a brand-name version of dexamethasone / tobramycin

• Maxitrol, a brand-name version of dexamethasone / neomycin / polymyxin B

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3. Loteprednol

Loteprednol is another steroid eye medication. It’s commonly used for pain and inflammation after eye surgery, dry eye disease, and inflammation from seasonal allergies.

Thanks to its chemical structure, loteprednol is less likely to raise eye pressure compared to other steroid eye drops. This makes it a good option for people who need longer-term steroid treatment.

Loteprednol comes in multiple formulations, too. How often you’ll use it depends on the product you receive. You can find loteprednol at pharmacies under these names:

• Generic loteprednol

• Alrex, a brand-name eye drop

• Lotemax, a brand-name product that comes as an eye gel, eye ointment, or eye drop

• Lotemax SM, a brand-name eye gel that’s absorbed more efficiently than standard Lotemax gel

• Eysuvis, a brand-name eye drop

• Inveltys, a brand-name eye drop

Zylet is another option. It’s a combination eye drop that contains loteprednol and tobramycin. It treats inflammation from bacterial eye infections.

4. Fluorometholone

Fluorometholone is a low- to medium-potency steroid eye drop. It's not quite as potent as options such as prednisolone and dexamethasone.

Fluorometholone is often used to treat milder cases of inflammation — such as from allergies or dry eye disease. It’s another common choice when longer-term treatment is needed. Compared to stronger steroids, it tends to have a lower risk of raising eye pressure. 

Fluorometholone comes in different concentrations, and your eye specialist will choose the best one for your needs. It’s available as:

• Generic fluorometholone

• Flarex, a brand-name eye drop

• FML, a brand-name eye drop

• FML Forte, a brand-name eye drop that’s slightly more potent than standard FML

5. Difluprednate

Difluprednate is a very potent steroid. It’s often reserved for more serious inflammation, like from eye surgery or anterior uveitis (frontal eye inflammation). Thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory effects and tissue penetration ability, it can be especially helpful when other steroids aren’t sufficient.

You can find difluprednate as a generic medication and as brand-name Durezol. It’s typically administered 4 times daily for up to 2 weeks.

6. Clobetasol

Clobetasol is a high-potency steroid most commonly used on the skin. But a new ophthalmic version, called Byqlovi, has now been FDA approved. It’s designed to help relieve pain and inflammation after eye surgery. It’s an eye drop that’s administered twice daily for up to 2 weeks.

Byqlovi is set to commercially launch in the U.S. by the end of 2025. Because it will be newer to the market, insurance coverage may vary, and it may be more expensive than other options.

Other steroid eye products

Some corticosteroids are delivered as eye implants or injections. These forms are typically reserved for chronic or severe inflammation that doesn’t respond to eye drops. Some also treat conditions such as diabetic macular edema.

Examples include:

• Fluocinolone implants, which are available under the brand names Retisert, Iluvien, and Yutiq 

• Triamcinolone injections, which are available as brand-name Triesence and Xipere

• Dexamethasone, the active ingredient in brand-name Ozurdex (implant) and Dextenza (insert)

How to save on corticosteroid eye drops

There are many ways to save on steroid eye drops. Several are available as lower-cost generics and/or have copay savings opportunities.

Generic eye drops are generally the most affordable options. With a GoodRx coupon, 1 bottle of these medications may cost as low as:

• Prednisolone acetate: $17.70

• Prednisolone sodium phosphate: $21.28

• Dexamethasone: $27.99

• Dexamethasone / tobramycin: $28.07

• Dexamethasone / neomycin / polymyxin B: $13.99

• Loteprednol eye drops: $49.07

• Loteprednol gel: $51.47

• Fluorometholone: $29.78

• Difluprednate: $49.04

There are also ways to save on select brand-name products. Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use exclusive GoodRx savings to pay as low as:

• Maxidex: $69

• Lotemax ointment: $80

• Lotemax gel: $80

• Lotemax SM: $80

• Zylet: $80

• TobraDex ST: $149

• Flarex: $99

What’s more, if you’re filling a brand-name prescription, you may be able to save by using a patient assistance program or copay savings card. Patient assistance programs are typically an option for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Copay savings cards are available for those with commercial insurance. Specific offerings vary by medication.

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Written by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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