Topical glucocorticoids in ophthalmology: a comparative analysis of efficacy and safety

Abstract

The symptoms of most pathological conditions in ophthalmology are based on inflammations of varying severity. Valuable tools against inflammation are topical glucocorticoids (tGCs), whose molecules are able to actively overcome biological membranes and ensure a rapid clinical response. The use of tGCs is accompanied by a wide range of effects, including side effects, a rise in intraocular pressure being one of the most significant ones. The review focuses on a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of various tGCs, including “soft steroids”. We show the relationship between the structure of the drugs, their pharmacodynamic effects and the possibility of being used in various eye diseases.