Prednisolone ophthalmic and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "On prednisolone eye drops 4X a day both eyes for severe viral conjunctivitis following corneal transplant. They work in terms of clearing up inflammation BUT the side effects are 1. Severe and 2. NOT reported in literature. I have very bad stomach upset, pain, bloating, severe diarrhea. Also Insomnia, fatigue, and mental changes. This is DEFINITELY from the drops as this has happened before. I’m so sick and tired of being told these drops aren’t absorbed systemically in enough quantity to cause problems. Rubbish! They’re AWFUL. I hate Prednisone and wish doctors would come up with another way to treat these issues. This drug is effective but the side effects are debilitating."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Keratitis "I was prescribed prednisolone acetate 1% for dry eye inflammation. The doctor wanted me on it for 2 to 3 weeks. I took it for 11 days exactly, and I told my doctor I couldn't continue this medication another day. I explained my strange side effects, and my optometrist reassured me it was unlikely to be from these drops. She told me to taper off them, and I did my best, but I eventually just stopped. I googled everything I could find about this medication's side effects, and none of them matched mine. My side effects: extreme fatigue, insomnia, achy joints, lights brighter than normal, unsteady, and mental exhaustion. I felt like I had the flu without the fever. I started to think I had something medically wrong with me, I was struggling to get through a day at work. I have chronic dry eye, so I'm hoping I never have to take these again."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2017

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "I used these drops as prescribed, 4 times daily, beginning several days before cataract surgery for 6 weeks (2 weeks after the second surgery). I was not told of possible adverse side effects. When I became ill soon after starting the drops, I did not realize what was causing the problem and was afraid to tell the doctor for fear he would not perform the second surgery. However, I was so fatigued and lethargic that I had to stop exercising and just got through each day doing the minimum to get by. I was also plagued by fluid in my ear. It wasn't until stopping prednisone for 2 weeks that I began to feel better. Patients should be told of the possible side effects, and I think prednisone should be avoided or the minimum possible prescribed."

• mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2022

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "Had cataract surgery on both eyes (separated by 2 weeks). Started the antibiotic, ketorolac, and prednisolone acetate drops 1% a day prior to surgery and continued the prednisolone 3 times a day for 2 weeks, then tapered to 2 times a day for 1 week and then 1 time a day for 1 week. Same procedure for 2nd eye surgery. Now on the last week of prednisolone from the 1st eye surgery and still on 3 times a day for the 2nd eye 'post-op'. Will wean it down within the next 2 weeks, ending all prednisolone. Have more fatigue (needing a couple of naps during the day) and also waking up 2 or 3 times during the night. Didn't realize the prednisolone acetate 1% could potentially cause this side effect until reading on the internet. Hopefully when I am completely off the prednisolone, I do not have any 'rebound' effects or inflammatory reactions. Never needed so many naps, let alone waking up 2 - 3 times a night!"

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2018

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "I used this after cataract surgery. I noticed that I have been getting more fatigued after almost 3 weeks of use. My balance is definitely unsteady, and I am used to walking over 7,000 steps a day. My thinking is foggy. It would be scary if I had to use precision tools. I am becoming more hesitant about using stairs in my 2-story home. Shall be consulting the doctor after having read other comments."

• Tig...
• December 17, 2016

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "Experiencing muscle pain and weakness, poor sleep quality, and general fatigue, but not sure if these symptoms are from side effects of this med after a week and a half of using drops in eye. Also noticing some irritation and mental confusion post-op. Is this common after cataract surgery? I feel vision adjustment issues might cause the vertigo and loss of muscular control I am also experiencing."