LOTEMAX OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT (LOTEPREDNOL ETABONATE)

Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment Description

If you are undergoing cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist may prescribe a steroid medication called Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment for your after-care treatment to reduce swelling and inflammation. Although inflammation is part of your body’s way to heal, inflammation can cause more inflammation and make you extremely uncomfortable.

Loteprednol Etabonate, the active ingredient in Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment will provide you with some relief while you are on the mend. You should only use Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment for as long as prescribed and if there is no improvement within two days you should revisit your doctor to be certain the surgical site is improving.

Reduce the Substances that Cause Inflammation

Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment is absorbed into your eye to reduce the production of chemicals that your immune system signals when an injury is detected. These chemicals, including prostaglandins and histamine, expand the tiny blood vessels in your eye to allow white blood cells and other substances to infiltrate the area and begin the healing process. With a decrease in these chemicals, the redness and swelling subsides. In essence, your immune system is suppressed to allow your eye to recover more comfortably.

Conditions Treated by Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment

Risk factors for getting a cataract include having diabetes or high blood pressure, being obese, smoking, a previous eye injury or surgery, and family history. As you reach your fifties, you will probably notice a vision change. It’s important to undergo regular eye exams as this is the best way to discover the onset of cataracts, possibly before you have even noticed any change in your eyesight.

Your eye’s lens is made up of mostly water and protein. The protein is arranged ‘just so’ to keep your lens clear so light can pass through it easily. But along with the aging process comes some changes and your vision can become less sharp as it was when you were 30 or 40 years old. The protein in your lens may clump together and a small area of your lens can begin to cloud up. To stop vision loss, cataract surgery is a popular choice. Your own lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens during an out-patient procedure.

Before Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment is Prescribed

To determine if Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment is safe for you to use, tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and list any over the counter medications or Rx drugs you currently take or use, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements.

Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment Precautions

Do not wear contacts lenses while using Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing any task temporarily until your vision clears after the use of Lastacaft Ophthalmic Ointment. Due to a lowered immune system, be sure your hands are washed before and after using Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment so you don’t risk an infection.

Possible Side Effects of Lotemax Ophthalmic Ointment

• Headache
• Light sensitive
• Temporary blurred vision