Health and Well-Being-Some steroids are good for the eyes

For many people, the word "steroids" calls to mind images of bodybuilders with rippling muscles. But those drugs are not the same as the steroids that eye health professionals use to successfully treat eye diseases and injuries.

"The muscle-building, performance-enhancing steroids are called anabolic steroids, and they have received much negative publicity," says Joseph Sowka, OD, associate professor of Nova Southeastern University's college of optometry, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. "There is a different type of steroid that is very useful in treating a variety of eye conditions, some quite serious. But these are corticosteroids, not anabolic steroids."

People may become apprehensive when their eye health professional mentions steroids, but Sowka says knowing the difference between those two types helps allay their fears. At least a dozen types of corticosteroids are now available to treat eye problems such as:

• inflammatory conditions;

• allergic reactions (the steroid would be used along with antihistamines);

• certain diseases of the optic nerve;

• infections (the steroid would be used in addition to antibiotics and antivirals);

• trauma (a direct injury to the eye).

In most cases, steroids are applied directly to the eye. In some cases — for severe allergic reactions, for example — your doctor may prescribe oral steroids, as well. But don't worry — those are still corticosteroids.

While recognizing the benefits of those drugs, Sowka does note they should be taken with care. "Steroids are very potent, and should be used only under the supervision of the optometrist or physician who prescribes them. And if you are given a steroid for one condition, never use it later for another problem. This, of course, holds true for any medication."