Comparison of the Effects of 0.1% Fluorometholone and 1% Prednisolone on Intraocular Pressure and Schirmer Tear Test in Equine Eye.
Authors: Atai Taraneh, Ozmaie Saeed, Anoushepour Amin
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Topical corticosteroids are routinely used in equine ophthalmology to manage inflammation, yet their effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and tear production—concerns that drive clinical decision-making—remain poorly characterised in horses. Researchers compared 0.1% fluorometholone and 1% prednisolone by instilling a single 0.2 mL dose into one eye of 16 healthy mares (aged 6–10 years), with the contralateral eye receiving saline as control; IOP was measured using rebound tonometry and tear production via Schirmer tear test (STT) at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, and 180 minutes post-instillation. Neither corticosteroid produced statistically significant changes in IOP or STT values over the three-hour observation window, with baseline pressures around 28 mm Hg and tear production between 24–26 mm/min in both groups. These findings provide reassurance that single-dose application of either agent does not acutely compromise tear film stability or elevate IOP in clinically normal eyes, although the authors appropriately flag that longer-term monitoring and investigations in diseased eyes—particularly those with uveitis—are needed to fully characterise safety profiles. Practitioners may take some comfort from these short-term results, though vigilance remains warranted with prolonged or repeated corticosteroid use, particularly in predisposed individuals.
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Practical Takeaways
- •A single application of topical prednisolone or fluorometholone is safe for equine eyes in terms of short-term IOP effects in healthy horses
- •These corticosteroids do not suppress tear production acutely, suggesting they may be suitable for ocular inflammatory conditions without concern for immediate aqueous humor or lacrimal changes
- •Longer-term studies and evaluation in diseased eyes (particularly uveitis cases) are needed before drawing conclusions about extended use or diseased states
Key Findings
- •Neither 1% prednisolone nor 0.1% fluorometholone caused significant changes in intraocular pressure over 3 hours of monitoring (P > 0.05)
- •Baseline IOP in treated eyes was 28.5 (5.4) mm Hg for prednisolone group and 27.5 (4.9) mm Hg for fluorometholone group
- •No significant differences in Schirmer tear test values between control and treatment eyes within or between groups (P > 0.05)
- •Single topical dose of either corticosteroid did not alter tear production in healthy horses over the 180-minute observation period