Can I store prednisolone eye drops in the fridge?

No, prednisolone eye drops should be kept at room temperature.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and it has only been a few hours, use the drops as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and wait until your next dose. Don't use extra doses to make up for any missed doses.

How do I use prednisolone eye drops?

Before using the eye drops, wash your hands and shake the bottle well. If you wear contact lenses, they must be taken out of your eyes. Contact lenses can be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Don't put contacts back in if your eyes are in pain, infected, or irritated. Once you put the drops in your eye, keep your eye closed while applying pressure to the inside corner of your eye for about one minute. This will help keep the medication in your eye.

How long do I use prednisolone eye drops?

In most cases, the drops are not used for more than a week. However, your healthcare provider will counsel you on how long you need to use the eye drops. If you are unsure, check with your healthcare provider.

Can I stop using the prednisolone eye drops drops suddenly?

If you have been using the eye drops for more than a week, your healthcare provider will give you a schedule on how to lower (or taper) the dose of the medication down. If you stop suddenly, you can have sudden inflammation (swelling) in your eye(s). If you are unsure when or how to stop the medication, it's important to speak with your pharmacist or provider.

prednisolone acetate

Generic Pred Forte

Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis, Eye Infection, Eye Inflammation

Prednisolone eye drops is a type of steroid eye drop. It helps treat eye inflammation in adults and children. The medication helps relieve symptoms like itchy eye, eye redness, and swelling in the eye. Prednisolone eye drops come as a generic as well as brand names like Pred Forte and Pred Mild. This eye drop is usually used in the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 times a day. Side effects can include temporary burning and stinging in the eye when you put the drops in.

Reviewed by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on January 22, 2026

What is Prednisolone eye drops?

What is Prednisolone eye drops used for?

Eye inflammation

How Prednisolone eye drops works

Prednisolone eye drops are a type of corticosteroid, also called steroids. The medication works by lowering certain inflammatory chemicals in the body. When used in the eye, it helps lessen eye inflammation. This relieves symptoms like eye itching, redness, swelling, and pain.

Are you looking for information on prednisolone tablets or oral solution instead?

When does Prednisolone eye drops start working?Time passed since treatment started:

HOURS

DAYS

Full effect

WEEKS

MONTHS

Drug facts

Common Brands	Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred
Drug Class	Corticosteroid
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	Lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred

Drug Class

Corticosteroid

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of Prednisolone eye drops

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Temporary burning or stinging in the eye
Feeling like there's something in your eye

Less Common Side Effects

Eye pain
Headache
Other eye irritation
Blurry vision
Changes in taste

Prednisolone eye drops serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Allergic reaction: trouble breathing; swelling in your face, lips, mouth, or throat; severe swelling around the eyes; rash; hives

When do Prednisolone eye drops possible side effects begin and end?

Time passed since treatment started:

MMINUTES

HHOURS

DDAYS

WWEEKS

MMONTHS

Burning or stinging in the eyes

Changes in taste

Source: DailyMed

The following Prednisolone eye drops side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Decreased vision

eye infection

eye pain

gradual blurring or loss of vision

nausea

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Blurred vision (mild and temporary, occurs after use of ointments)

Less common or rare

Burning, stinging, redness, or watering of the eyes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Prednisolone eye drops

Pros

Few side effects
Approved for both adults and children

Cons

Might have to use the eye drops up to 4 times a day
Some formulations contain sulfite, so not a good option for people with a sulfite allergy

Pharmacist tips for Prednisolone eye drops

Wash your hands before using prednisolone eye drops. Be careful not to let the bottle tip touch your eyelid or to other surfaces. This helps avoid contamination and possible eye infection.
Before each time you use prednisolone eye drops, shake the bottle well. This makes sure the medication is mixed well for your dose.
Take out any contact lenses before using prednisolone eye drops. This medication contains a preservative that can get onto the contacts and damage them. Wait 15 minutes after using eye drops if you decide to put your contacts back in.
To use the prednisolone eye drops, tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the bottle upside down so the tip is right above your eye. Squeeze a drop of medication into the eye. Then, close your eye and lightly press the inside corner of your eye about a minute. Repeat in the other eye if needed.
If you need to use more than one drop of prednisolone in the same eye, wait a few minutes between each drop. This helps your eye fully absorb each drop.
If you need to use other eye drops along with prednisolone, also wait a few minutes between them. This helps your eye absorb each medication better.
You might feel slight burning or stinging in the eye after you use prednisolone eye drops. This should go away within a few minutes.
Tell your prescriber if any eye swelling, pain, or other eye symptoms get worse or last more than 2 days while using prednisolone eye drops. Your prescriber can check what's going on and decide if you need something else to help.
Be sure to use prednisolone eye drops for the full time your prescriber tells you. This helps treat your eye inflammation properly. If you need to use the drops for a long time, your prescriber might suggest regular eye exams. This is because using prednisolone eye drops can raise the risk of certain eye problems, like higher eye pressure.
Tell your prescriber if you become pregnant while using prednisolone eye drops. There isn't enough information to know if the medication is safe during pregnancy. Your prescriber can help explain the risks and benefits and choose the safest option for you.
Store the bottle of prednisolone eye drops upright at room temperature. Don't put it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.

Common questions about Prednisolone Acetate

Prednisolone eye drops help reduce inflammation in the eye after cataract surgery. This helps lower the risk of developing macular edema after the procedure. Macular edema limits your vision recovery after cataract surgery. Prednisolone eye drops also help manage pain after the procedure as well.Learn more

The length of time you can use prednisolone eye drops depends on why you're using them. For instance, you may need to use prednisolone eye drops for 2 to 6 weeks following cataract surgery. But if you're using them to help reduce pain and redness because of an eye infection, you'll likely only use them for about 1 week. It's recommended to use prednisolone eye drops for the shortest time needed. This helps lower the risk of serious or long-term side effects.Learn more

Prednisolone (Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred) is a prescription-only eye drop that helps manage inflammatory eye conditions and corneal injuries. It’s a topical corticosteroid that lowers inflammation in the eye that can cause itching, redness, and swelling. Prednisolone eye drops work quickly and effectively to relieve certain eye-related symptoms.Learn more

Prednisolone (Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred) eye drops are used for eye injuries, eye swelling, and eye allergy symptoms. It’s a topical corticosteroid that lowers inflammation in the eye that can cause itching, redness, and swelling. Prednisolone eye drops work quickly and effectively to relieve certain eye-related symptoms.Learn more

Common prednisolone eye drop side effects include blurry vision, eye discomfort, taste changes, and feeling like there's something in your eye. These typically only last for a few minutes after applying your drops. But, with long-term use, there is a higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and cornea thinning. Monitoring for eye symptoms and communicating any you experience to a healthcare professional can help prevent potential long-term complications — especially with extended use.Learn more

Common prednisolone side effects include trouble sleeping, headache, heartburn, and appetite changes. Raised blood glucose (sugar), swelling, and mood changes are also common. Long-term side effects include cataracts, stomach ulcers, a higher risk of infections, and weakened bones.Learn more

Yes, steroid eye drops have side effects. Common ones include blurry vision, eye discomfort, taste changes, and feeling like there's something in your eye. These typically only last for a few minutes after applying your drops. But, with long-term use, there is a higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and cornea thinning. Monitoring for eye symptoms and communicating any you experience to a healthcare professional can help prevent potential long-term complications — especially with extended use.Learn more

Risks and warnings for Prednisolone eye drops

Prednisolone eye drops can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Risk of eye infection when used for a long time

Risk factors: Long-term use | History of viral eye infections (including herpes simplex of the eye) | Untreated eye infection

Using prednisolone eye drops for a long time can raise the risk of eye infections. It can also make current eye infections worse. Before starting this medication, tell your prescriber if you have an eye infection, such as a herpes infection in the eye. You shouldn't use these drops until the eye infection is treated.

Get medical care if you have more eye pain, redness, discharge, blurry vision, swelling, or itchy or burning eyes. These can be signs of an eye infection that needs to be checked out.

Risk of eye problems when used for a long time

Risk factors: Long-term use | History of glaucoma or cataracts

Using prednisolone eye drops for a long time can raise the risk of eye problems, like thinning of the cornea or cataracts. It might also raise the pressure in the eye, which can lead to glaucoma. These problems can damage the eye and affect your vision.

If you need to use prednisolone eye drops for 10 days or more, you'll need regular eye exams. Your eye specialist will check your eye pressure. Tell your prescriber or eye specialist if you notice vision changes or eye pain while using this medication.

Slow healing of the eye after cataract surgery

Steroid eye drops like prednisolone can slow healing after eye surgery. Tell your prescriber if you recently had cataract surgery or another eye surgery. If you need to use these drops after surgery, follow your prescriber's instructions to help your eye heal properly.

Severe allergic reaction

Risk factors: Asthma

Some prednisolone eye drops have sodium bisulfite in them. This is a sulfite that can cause allergic reactions in some people. People with asthma might have a higher risk of reacting to sulfites.

These reactions can be mild or very serious. This can include symptoms of anaphylaxis. Get medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction. Watch out for a rash, swelling in the face or throat, tightness in the throat, or trouble breathing.

Prednisolone eye drops dosage

The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 5ml of 1% of Prednisolone eye drops is $17.70 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 14.70% off the average retail price of $20.75.

Eye dropper

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
5ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$17.70	$17.70
15ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$43.25	$43.25
10ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$31.85	$31.85

Typical dosage for Prednisolone eye drops

The typical dose is 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 times daily.

Interactions between Prednisolone eye drops and other drugs

Prednisolone eye drops may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Prednisolone eye drops. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

How much does Prednisolone eye drops cost?

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Pred Forte (brand)

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$17.70

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Prednisolone eye drops (generic)

GoodRx lowest price

$17.70

(save 80.42%)

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Prednisolone eye drops contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Prednisolone eye drops will not be safe for you to take.