inflammation 4 weeks after PRK.

Question

I had PRK a month ago now. I was to do steroid drops 4 times a day for a week, 3 times a day for a week, 2 times a day for week and once a day for a week. The first day with no steroid drops I was horribly light sensitive and sore. I went to the dr today and was told I have inhflammation and to use steroid drops every hour for 3 days, then 4 times a day for a week. What is causing the inflammation and how worried do I need to be???

Mazin Yaldo, MD · Answer

Inflammation is a normal response to
the laser energy applied to your cornea. 
Different people have different inflammatory responses.  It sounds like you had a pretty
standard steroid taper, but in hindsight it may have been too rapid a taper for
you.  Going back on steroids is the
proper approach and you should not be overly concerned.

Sometimes, edema (swelling) of the
cornea can mimic inflammation, so your doctor should be certain this is not the
case.  Also, in very rare cases,
certain infections (especially viral) can cause long term inflammation after
PRK.  Your doctor can discuss this
with you in more detail.

If after a second steroid taper you
still have inflammation, then I would be much more concerned but for now, it is
likely the current taper will address the problem.

Martin L. Fox, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for PRK patients to experience a recurrence of inflammatory symptoms when withdrawn from steroids. In our practice we usually step down from strong steroids to a milder anti inflammatory medication which is then tapered over several weeks.

inflammation 4 weeks after PRK.

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inflammation 4 weeks after PRK.

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