Acute red eye following the use of steroid eye drops by patients seen at the eye clinic, department of ophthalmology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku – Awka, South Eastern Nigeria: Case series

Five cases (one male, four females aged between 32-65 years) of acute painful red eye following application of steroid eye drops have been presented. Their presentation followed a similar trend viz: sudden painful eyes, redness, tearing, photophobia, tenderness, and blepharospasm following topical steroid eye use. There was immediate relief within an hour of instillation of atropine 1% eye drop and full recovery after two weeks of presentation following further treatment with atropine 1% eye drop, tablet paracetamol, chloramphenicol eye drop and flurbiprofen eye drop.

Steroids are important group of drugs that are employed in the management of many medical conditions. When used properly, they bring good results most of the time. Acute red eye was observed in this case series following topical steroid use on the eyes and the patients need to be educated on the proper use of this group of drugs so as to reduce its adverse effects.