Key takeaways:
Prednisolone (Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred) eye drops are used to treat inflammatory eye conditions. They can also treat issues related to corneal injuries.
Common prednisolone eye drop side effects include increased eye pressure, blurry vision, and eye discomfort. 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.
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 the number of inflammatory chemicals in the eye that can cause itching, redness, and swelling.
Prednisolone eye drops work quickly and effectively to relieve certain eye-related symptoms. But they also can cause side effects. Understanding these side effects and how to manage them can help you maintain good eye health and prevent complications.
Prednisolone eye drop side effects at a glance
Most prednisolone eye drop side effects are mild and short-lived. But if you use prednisolone eye drops for more than 10 days, longer-lasting and more severe side effects are possible.
The most common prednisolone eye drop side effects include:
Increased eye pressure
Blurry vision
Burning or stinging in the eye
Eye discomfort
Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
Less common, but potentially serious, prednisolone side effects include:
Cornea thinning
Cataracts
Impaired vision
Eye pain
Eye infection
Gradual vision loss
Allergic reactions
Here, we’ll dive deeper into six notable prednisolone side effects and how to manage them. We'll also answer some frequently asked questions to help you make informed decisions about your medication.
1. Increased eye pressure
Increased eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) is one of the more common side effects of prednisolone eye drops. It tends to resolve within 2 weeks of stopping treatment. But keep in mind that sustained elevations in IOP can raise the risk of glaucoma.
If you need to use prednisolone eye drops for an extended period of time (longer than 7 to 10 days), your healthcare professional will likely monitor your eye pressure through routine eye exams.
Prednisolone-related glaucoma can be reversed if it's caught early, so contact a healthcare professional right away if you notice prolonged blurry vision, halos, or severe eye pain after starting prednisolone.
2. Eye discomfort
Some people experience mild eye irritation or discomfort shortly after administering prednisolone. This often feels like a brief burning or stinging sensation and is related to the eye drop application process.
The discomfort should improve if you close your eyes for a few moments after applying the drops to help the medication absorb. Do your best to avoid rubbing your eyes right after you apply the drops, as well. Rubbing them can worsen the discomfort.
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If you have eye discomfort that feels intense or painful at any point, contact a healthcare professional to talk about next steps.
3. Blurry vision
Blurry vision is another relatively common prednisolone eye drop side effect. Blurry vision usually occurs right after application and typically clears up within a few minutes. Blinking several times after applying the drops can help spread the medication evenly and reduce blurriness.
Keep in mind: If you have blurry vision that lasts for more than 1 hour or worsens at any point, reach out to a healthcare professional right away. A more serious situation could be in play.
4. Infection
Prednisolone can weaken an eye's defenses, making it more susceptible to pink eye and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. This is related to how prednisolone works, and it’s more likely to happen with long-term use.
To reduce your risk of infection, wash your hands thoroughly before applying the drops. It also helps to keep the dropper tip clean by avoiding touching it to any surface, including your eye.
Let a healthcare professional know if you have increased eye redness, pain, or discharge that lasts longer than 2 days. These are possible symptoms of infection that may warrant additional treatment.
5. Cornea thinning
Long-term prednisolone use may cause thinning of the cornea, the clear front layer of the eye. This can lead to vision problems and other complications, such as holes (perforations) in the front layer of the eye.
It’s hard to prevent this side effect on your own. But to reduce the risk of corneal thinning happening, use prednisolone exactly as prescribed. Don’t use it longer than recommended without talking to a healthcare professional first. And if you experience sudden vision pain, increased light sensitivity, or vision changes, contact your prescriber right away.
6. Cataracts
Prolonged use of corticosteroid eye drops — typically 10 days or longer — increases the risk of developing cataracts. Cataracts can cloud eye lenses and lead to vision loss if left untreated.
If you need to use prednisolone for an extended period of time, your healthcare professional will likely talk to you about how to manage your risk for cataracts — especially if you have a family history of the condition. They’ll likely recommend routine eye exams to be able to catch and treat any early signs of cataracts.
If you develop cataracts, surgery may be necessary to restore your vision.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, prednisolone eye drops are generally safe when used as prescribed. However, due to potential side effects, especially with long-term use, routine monitoring during treatment is often recommended. Your healthcare professional will help you weigh the risks and benefits of using prednisolone eye drops.
Prednisolone eye drops don’t typically affect your whole body. Most of the medication stays in your eye. A small amount of medication may absorb into the bloodstream, but this is usually minimal. By comparison, when you take prednisolone by mouth, it absorbs into the body within hours of taking a dose.
No, constipation isn’t a known side effect of topical prednisolone. Still, talk to a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing problematic constipation or diarrhea. They can help you figure out if it's related to a medication or if there's another cause entirely.
Yes, prednisolone eye drops are generally safe when used as prescribed. However, due to potential side effects, especially with long-term use, routine monitoring during treatment is often recommended. Your healthcare professional will help you weigh the risks and benefits of using prednisolone eye drops.
Prednisolone eye drops don’t typically affect your whole body. Most of the medication stays in your eye. A small amount of medication may absorb into the bloodstream, but this is usually minimal. By comparison, when you take prednisolone by mouth, it absorbs into the body within hours of taking a dose.
No, constipation isn’t a known side effect of topical prednisolone. Still, talk to a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing problematic constipation or diarrhea. They can help you figure out if it's related to a medication or if there's another cause entirely.
The bottom line
Prednisolone (Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred) eye drops are an effective treatment for inflammatory eye conditions. But they have potential side effects. Relatively mild and short-term prednisolone side effects include blurry vision and burning and stinging in the eye. Less common but potentially serious side effects include impaired vision, eye pain, and eye infections. These side effects are more likely to happen with long-term use.
It’s important to use prednisolone eye drops as directed by your healthcare professional and attend regular eye checkups. Understanding and managing prednisolone side effects can help minimize potential discomfort and protect your vision.
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References
Feroze, K. B., et al. (2023). Steroid-induced glaucoma. StatPearls.
Liu, D., et al. (2013). A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology.
Lupin Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Prednisolone acetate - prednisolone acetate suspension / drops.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Prednisolone ophthalmic.
National Eye Institute. (2022). Glaucoma and eye pressure. National Institutes of Health.
Pickup, M. E. (2012). Clinical pharmacokinetics of prednisone and prednisolone. Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
Sutyawan, W. E., et al (2019). Steroid induced cataract in Langerhans cell histiocytosis patient. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences.
