New Allergy Medicine for Eye Sufferers

Seasonal allergy sufferers may have another option to taking traditional corticosteroid drugs in the relieve of redness, itching and swelling of the eyes - the use of the new drug, loteprednol etabonate.

Corticosteroids (i.e., fluorometholone orprednisolone) are effective in treating eye problems experienced by seasonal allergy sufferers. However, drugs derived from the steroid, cortisone, can increase pressure inside the eye, possibly leading to optic nerve damage.

A recent study shows that loteprednol etabonate is the first site-active corticosteroid. Being site-active, the drug does not absorb into the body and, as a result, does not usually cause side effects associated with steroids, such as increased intraocular pressure (Source: Press Release, Feb. 19, 1999, American Academy of Ophthalmology).

The Visionary, published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,
is available upon request. The information contained in this issue,
taken from sources considered to be accurate,
does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.

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