Pred Forte (Prednisolone 1%) Eye Drops

Pred Forte Eye Drops general information

What is Pred Forte Eye Drops used for?

Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% are used to treat inflammation of the eye, including inflammation of the ocular or bulbar conjunctiva, a clear membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye or sclera (white of the eye) and the palpebral conjunctiva that lines the inside of the eyelids.  Also the cornea, which is the clear protective area at the front of the eye, and the anterior segment of the globe that includes the iris, pupil, lens, cornea and fluid filled anterior chamber.  Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% are used as short-term treatment to relieve symptoms of eye inflammation, including irritation, burning, redness and swelling that are caused by chemicals, heat, radiation, allergy, or foreign objects in the eye, but they should not be used for viral, fungal or bacterial eye infection and is only suitable for steroid-responsive inflammation.

How does Pred Forte Eye Drops work?

Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% contain prednisolone, which is corticosteroid hormone and is a synthetic derivative of the natural glucocorticoid cortisol, with potent anti-inflammatory properties.  Prednisolone in Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% acts directly through the glucocorticoid receptor that is expressed inside most cells of the body and regulates transcription of specific genes that control the inflammatory and immune response.  The major therapeutic actions of prednisolone are to reduce the vascular (blood vessels) and cellular inflammatory response primarily by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells.  This action reduces the swelling (oedema), redness and pain associated with inflammation and modifies the actions of cells involved in allergic and inflammatory responses, such as phagocytic migration. 

What does Pred Forte Eye Drops contain?

Pred Forte Eye Drops contain the active ingredient prednisolone acetate (microfine suspension) 1.0%, a potent anti-inflammatory corticosteroid used to treat inflammation of the eye.  They also contain polysorbate 80, boric acid, sodium citrate dihyrate, sodium chloride, edetate disodium, hypromellose, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, purified water, and benzalkonium chloride as preservative.

Treating inflammation of the eye with Pred Forte Eye Drops

Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% contain prednisolone, which is corticosteroid hormone and is a synthetic derivative of the natural glucocorticoid cortisol, with potent anti-inflammatory properties.  Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% are used for short-term treatment of steroid-responsive inflammation of the eye, including inflammation of the ocular or bulbar conjunctiva, a clear membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye or sclera (white of the eye) and the palpebral conjunctiva that lines the inside of the eyelids.  Also the cornea, which is the clear protective area at the front of the eye, and the anterior segment of the globe that includes the iris, pupil, lens, cornea and fluid filled anterior chamber.  Prednisolone in Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% acts directly through the glucocorticoid receptor inside the cells of the eye and regulates transcription of specific genes that control the inflammatory and immune response.  The major therapeutic actions of prednisolone are to reduce the vascular (blood vessels) and cellular inflammatory response primarily by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, from inflammatory cells to reduce the swelling (oedema), redness and pain associated with inflammation and to modify the actions of cells involved in allergic and inflammatory responses, such as phagocytic migration.  These actions of prednisolone in Pred Forte Eye Drops 1% help relieve symptoms of eye inflammation, including irritation, burning, redness and swelling that are caused by chemicals, heat, radiation, allergy, or foreign objects in the eye, but they should not be used for viral, fungal or bacterial eye infection and is only suitable inflammation.

What are the side effects of Pred Forte Eye Drops?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Pred Forte include: eye irritation like burning or stinging, increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that may lead to glaucoma and optic nerve damage, delayed wound healing, cataract formation at the back of the lens (posterior subcapsular), visual disturbance (blurry vision) and allergic reactions.  Long term use of corticosteroids can lead to infection of the eye and can mask infections; also to systemic effects.

When should Pred Forte Eye Drops not be used?

You should not use Pred Forte eye drops if you:

• are allergic to prednisolone or any ingredients in Pred Forte eye drops
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have a bacterial, viral or fungal eye infection
• have glaucoma or are at risk of developing glaucoma
• have recently had cataract surgery as corticosteroids can delay healing
• have mustard gas keratitis (inflammation of the cornea caused by the chemical mustard gas) and Sjogren’s keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva as a symptom of the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome)

How should Pred Forte Eye Drops be taken?

You should apply your Pred Forte Eye Drops by shaking the bottle well, tilting your head back, pulling the lower eyelid to form a pouch and applying one drop into this conjunctival sac, using the dropper provided.  You should apply your Pred Forte Eye Drops 2-4 times daily or more frequently in the first 24-48 hours as required.  You should see an improvement in symptoms after 2 days but continue to use your Pred Forte Eye Drops for as long as recommended by your doctor but not for more than 10 days.  If you wear soft contact lenses these should be removed before adding Pred Forte Eye Drops into your eye, as the preservative can cause discolouration, and not returned for at least 15 minutes.

How long should you take Pred Forte?

You should see an improvement in symptoms after 2 days but continue to use your Pred Forte Eye Drops for as long as recommended by your doctor but not for more than 10 days.  

Missed dose of Pred Forte Eye Drops

If you miss a dose of Pred Forte take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Pred Forte Eye Drops be stored?

You should store your Pred Forte below 25°C in a cool dry place.