Hydrocortisone ointment: application in ophthalmology

Hydrocortisone ointment in ophthalmology is used to treat inflammation of the visual organs. It has a pronounced anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory effect. The cost of the medicine is low. If the epithelium of the cornea is damaged, the drug is not prescribed. More details about its pharmacological action, indications for use, contraindications, possible complications read further. Pay attention - you can not use the ointment after the expiry date. Keep the drug in accordance with the instructions and away from children.

Description of the preparation

Hydrocortisone eye ointment is widely used in the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases.It has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect.

If the corneal epithelium is damaged, hydrocortisone ointment can not be used.

One tube contains the following active substances:

• hydrocortisone acetate - 100 mg;
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• paraffin soft, white;
• pentol;
• lanolin;
• stearic acid;
• E 218;
• E 216;
• purified water.

  Hydrocortisone ointment is used for inflammatory diseases

The drug should be applied in a uniform, very thin layer on the affected skin in small amounts up to three times a day.The maximum duration of treatment is 1 week.

For treatment of children younger than 10 years without consulting a doctor, the drug should not be used.

Pharmacological action and group

Hydrocortisone is a glucocorticosteroid.The component has an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, affects inflammatory cell infiltrates, reduces the migration of leukocytes. Hydrocortisone also has a stabilizing effect on cellular, subcellular (including lysosomal) membranes, structures of mast cells. The binding of immunoglobulins to receptors is reduced, the processes of synthesis or release of cytokines are slowed down.As a result, the permeability of capillaries decreases, scarring is inhibited.

What drops with eye allergies can be applied read in this article.

The main active substance of the ointment is hydrocortisone.

Hydrocortisone does not enter the intraocular fluid through the cornea.The substance is metabolized directly in the epithelium and epidermis, a small amount of it enters the total bloodstream, which then is transformed in the liver. 80% of hydrocortisone in the blood binds to albumins and transcortin. The products of hydrocortisone disintegration are excreted through the intestine and kidneys.

Hydrocortisone reduces the migration of leukocytes

Indications and contraindications

Ointment Hydrocortisone is used to treat:

• allergic eye diseases(blepharitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis);
• inflammation of the anterior part of the eye(the main condition for effective and safe treatment is the absence of damage to the corneal epithelium);
• thermal, chemical burns(after epithelialization of corneal defects).

With fungal, viral diseases of the eyes, and also, as we already mentioned above, violation of the integrity of the epithelial covers of the cornea, the drug is not prescribed. Other contraindications:

• trachoma;
• tuberculosis of the eye;
• the period of vaccination;
• hypersensitivity to certain components of the drug.

If you use hydrocortisone ointment to speed up recovery of the eyes after burns, you need to wait for complete epithelialization of the cornea.

With hypertension, diabetes, the drug should be used very carefully.During pregnancy, the ointment is used, but only according to strict indications and no longer than 7-10 days. If treatment is performed during lactation, breastfeeding stops for a while.

Possible complications

After applying the ointment locally, an unpleasant burning sensation may occur.With the duration of the drug, intraocular pressure increases, subcapsular cataracts or exophthalmos may develop. There is also a risk of developing a secondary bacterial, viral or fungal infection of the eyes, trophic changes in the cornea of ​​the eye.

With local use of the ointment, cases of overdose were not recorded.

Note that with the simultaneous treatment of hydrocortisone ointment and neuroleptics, glucocorticoids, carbutamide or azathiopride, the risk of developing cataracts increases.When co-administered with antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, nitrates, intraocular pressure often increases.

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conclusions

Hydrocortisone ointment in ophthalmology is used to treat inflammation of the visual organs. The drug belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids, the active substances in the systemic blood stream are absorbed in small amounts. If the epithelium of the cornea is damaged, the ointment should not be used (wait until the epithelium is fully healed). At the time of treatment, breastfeeding is always discontinued.