Difluprednate Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 15, 2025.

Applies to difluprednate ophthalmic: ophthalmic emulsion.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, difluprednate ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking difluprednate ophthalmic:

More common side effects

• blurred vision
• change in color vision
• decreased vision or other changes in vision
• difficulty seeing at night
• eye discomfort
• eye pain
• eye redness
• increase in blood flow to the whites of the eyes
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• painful irritation of the front clear part of the eye
• sensitivity of the eyes to light
• swelling or redness of the eye and lining of the eyelid

Less common side effects

• eyelid irritation and crusting
• tearing
• throbbing eye pain
• watering of the eyes

Other side effects

Some side effects of difluprednate ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• dry eyes

Rare side effects

• burning, itching, or soreness of the eye
• feeling of having something in the eye

For healthcare professionals

Applies to difluprednate ophthalmic: ophthalmic emulsion.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were elevated intraocular pressure, visual acuity and field defects, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Corneal edema, ciliary and conjunctival hyperemia, eye pain, photophobia, posterior capsule opacification, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare, conjunctival edema, blepharitis, reduced visual acuity, punctate keratitis, eye inflammation, iritis, blurred vision, eye irritation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Corneal pigmentation and striae, episcleritis, eye pruritus, eyelid irritation and crusting, foreign body sensation, increased lacrimation, macular edema, sclera hyperemia, uveitis, increased intraocular pressure, iritis, limbal and conjunctival hyperemia, dry eye, iridocyclitis^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site discomfort or irritation^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache^[Ref]

Further information

Difluprednate ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer