The Use of Topical Corticosteroids for Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and damage to the ocular surface. Because chronic inflammation plays an important role in DED, treatment with topical corticosteroids has been demonstrated to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of the disease. Although these agents have proven short-term efficacy, their long-term use may cause intraocular pressure elevation and cataract progression. A carefully review of the different studies shows that differences between corticosteroids may exist regarding the incidence of side effects and evidence of efficacy in DED patients.

Keywords:

• Chronic inflammation
• corticosteroids
• dry eye
• glucocorticoids
• ocular surface

LITERATURE SEARCH

Publications were identified through a search of Medline database (PubMed) using the terms: (“Dry Eye Syndromes”[Mesh]) AND “Glucocorticoids” [Pharmacological Action]. Google Scholar was used to search free-text terms: ‘corticosteroids’, ‘loteprednol etabonate’, ‘fluorometholone’, ‘rimexolone’, ‘medrysone’, ‘difluprednate’, ‘desonide’, ‘dexamethasone’, ‘methyl-prednisolone’, ‘clobetasone’, ‘prednisolone’, ‘dry eye’, ‘sjogren’, ‘keratoconjunctivitis sicca’. Results were mainly limited to those studies conducted in humans and reported in English. Few relevant studies conducted in the animal model have been included. The ClinicalTrials.gov database (clinicaltrials.gov) has been consulted to obtain information on ongoing and completed trials for corticosteroids in DED. We last searched the electronic databases on December 1, 2016.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

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