Prednisolone ophthalmic and Insomnia: 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."

• 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!"

• Fla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2019

For Postoperative Ocular Inflammation "Had cataract surgery on the right eye, then two weeks later, the left eye, taking drops as prescribed. One week after the second surgery and drop use, started experiencing insomnia, sleeping erratically, and up for hours during the night. Unable to wear CPAP (breathing device for apnea) due to eye surgery, as the mask puts pressure around the eye ... but insomnia didn’t start until three weeks on drops."