What is Fluorometholone Used for? | Detailed Explanation

Before talking about the question of “What is fluorometholone used for”, some basic properties of fluorometholone are introduced. Fluorometholone is a white or light yellow crystalline powder with no odor. It is soluble in pyridine, insoluble in methanol, ethanol, or tetrahydrofuran, and almost insoluble in water or diethyl ether. This product is a synthetic corticosteroid for topical use, which can inhibit inflammation caused by mechanical, chemical, or immune stimuli.

It is generally believed that fluorometholone works by inducing the inhibitory protein phosphatase A2. These inhibitory proteins control the biosynthesis of inflammatory mediators by inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid, a common precursor of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, and the local anti-inflammatory effect is 40 times that of hydrocortisone.

What is fluorometholone used for?

Fluorometholone is mainly used for the treatment of allergic or inflammatory eye diseases and skin diseases that can be treated by corticosteroids. Besides, it also can provide anti-inflammatory therapy after PRK. It is mainly in the form of fluorometholone suspension eye drops. 

Fluorometholone eye drops are commonly used for inflammatory diseases of the external eyes, such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, iritis, iridocyclitis, postoperative inflammatory reactions, and so on.

Matters needing attention when using fluorometholone

After discussing the topic of “What is fluorometholone used for”, we can know it is usually used to diminish inflammation. But there will be some problems if we use it in the wrong way, so it is necessary to introduce some notices below.

1. We must be very careful with fluorometholone in people with a history of herpes simplex virus infection.

2. Long-term use of fluorometholone and its derivatives can lead to increased intraocular pressure and even glaucoma, cataracts, and secondary fungal and viral infections of the eye tissue.

3. Long-term topical use of fluorometholone in the eye may also cause thinning of the cornea and sclera, which may result in perforation of the eye when used in patients with thin ocular walls.

4. Fluorometholone may mask or worsen acute suppurative ocular infections that have not been treated with antibiotics.

5. Safety and efficacy for use in children 2 years of age or younger have not been established. The same goes for pregnant women. 

6. It may result in fungal infection for long-term topical use of fluorometholone in the eyes, especially in people with corneal ulcers.

The contraindication when using fluorometholone

1. Fluorometholone should not be used for acute herpes simplex keratitis, fungal infection of eye tissue, vaccinia and varicella virus infection, most other viral corneal and conjunctival infections, ocular tuberculosis, or in people with allergic reactions to this product.

2.Patients with poor liver function should not be used. 

3. It should be used with caution or contraindicated when the person has symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes, adrenal hypercorticosis, active ulcers and recent gastrointestinal anastomosis, glaucoma, fungal infections and so on.

How to use fluorometholone?

1.This product is only used in the way of eye drops, and do not take it orally, inject or use it for other purposes. Please wash hands before use, remove eye secretions and tears with a cotton swab.

2. If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using fluorometholone. It can be reapplied after the eye drops for 15 minutes. Do not wear contact lenses if your eyes feel indisposed after dropping it.

3. Shake the product thoroughly before use, then put the eye drops 2 to 3 cm away from the eyes. The mouth of the bottle is pointed at the inner corner of the eye, then squeeze 1-2 drops into the eye sac, and gently close the eye for 3-5 minutes. Press the lacrimal sac area of the inner corner of the eye gently for 2 minutes. Dry the unabsorbed liquid around your eyes before opening your eyes.

Conclusion: 

In the end, we want to sum up the main points on the topic of “What is fluorometholone used for”. Fluorometholone is mainly used to treat eye illnesses, such as scleritis, and iritis. Sometimes it also can be used as an antiphlogistic drug after the cure of PRK. We must be careful and follow our doctor's instructions when using it because it is a kind of hormone drug. For example, we can’t use it for a long time.