Dexamethasone is a drug known for a long time in medicine, very often prescribed and ophthalmologists in the form of eye drops. This synthetic drug in ophthalmology is used topically, that is, its therapeutic effect is aimed at achieving an effect in a specific organ or part of the body. And simply speaking, drops should be buried in the eye, and the effect of the remedy on the rest of the body will be negligible.
Pharmacological action of the drug
Dexamethasone refers to glucocorticosteroid preparations, which, in turn, are steroids. Steroids are substances with high biological activity, regulating metabolism and certain physiological functions in the human body.
The diverse effect of glucocorticosteroids on the human body is as follows:
- antiallergic effect;
- anti-shock action;
- anti-stress action;
- increased metabolism;
- immuno-regulating action;
- anti-inflammatory effect.
Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid substance and in the form of eye drops, according to the instructions, it provides a quick anti-inflammatory effect, anti-allergic and anti-exudative action. Just one drop of the drug, buried in each eye, ensures its active effect up to 8 hours.
Drops are buried directly on the conjunctiva, a thin transparent shell that covers the eyes from the outside. It is with redness of the vessels of the conjunctiva that we speak of "red eyes". Getting on the conjunctiva, eye drops from dexamethasone allergy are quickly absorbed into the epithelium and the aqueous environment of the eye is saturated with the concentration of the drug necessary for the therapeutic effect. And in the presence of an inflammatory process, the drug penetrates the aquatic environment of the eye more quickly. The substance is processed in the liver and excreted from the body with feces.
Indications for the appointment of Dexamethasone
Eye drops Dexamethasone 0.1% are prescribed with the following diagnoses:
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- keratitis (inflammation of the cornea of the eye);
- blepharitis (inflammatory disease of the eyelids);
- scleritis (inflammation of the sclera);
- chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina);
- uveitis (inflammation of the choroid of the eyes);
- iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris and the body of the eyeball);
- optic neuritis;
- eye trauma (including burns);
- postoperative period (eye surgery).
Has a drug and strict contraindications for the appointment:
- fungal lesions of the eyes;
- virus eye damage;
- purulent infections of the eyes;
- glaucoma (clouding of the lens);
- increased intraocular pressure;
- thinning of the cornea;
- tuberculosis ;
- Preschool age in children (in emergency cases, eye drops Dexamethasone can be buried in the nose of children, but only after the appointment of a doctor);
- an allergic reaction to the components of the drug;
- the period of breastfeeding;
- Pregnancy (eye drops Dexamethasone may be used in pregnancy, provided that the benefits from their use exceed the risk to the fetus, with treatment not to exceed one week).
How to apply dexamethasone?
Drops with Dexamethasone are prescribed most often in the same way - 1-2 drops in each eye three times a day, at the same intervals. In acute forms of inflammation, with certain diagnoses, the doctor can prescribe another scheme. When used, patients often note a burning sensation in the eyes after instillation. This is a normal reaction to the substance and, if the burning sensation passes quickly, it is not necessary to cancel the drug.