A clinical study of the efficacy of topical corticosteroids on dry eye.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroid for treatment of moderate or severe dry eye.

Methods: Sixty eyes of 30 patients with moderate or severe dry eye, who were not sensitive to artificial tears, were treated with 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops. Subjective symptom and objective tests were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment before and after application of 0.1% fluorometholone eye drops for 1 week and 1 month. Side effects were also evaluated.

Results: After 1 week of treatment, subjective symptoms were improved in all dry eye patients; objective tests were improved in all dry eye patients 1 month after treatment, and the difference was significant.

Conclusion: Topical corticosteroid drops can rapidly and effectively relieve the symptoms and signs of moderate or severe dry eye.