Flying whilst using prednisolone eye drops?
 

Anybody know where I can find more info on the above please, and whether it is sensible?

Very many thanks.

At the very least, you need to discuss it with your AME.

I suspect the underlying cause for the drops will raise his eyebrow further than the drops themselves.

Really?

What do you think the underlying cause might be?

I'm trying to offer some help, based on previous posts.

Not play a game.

Prednisolone or Pred Forte drops would typically be prescribed after cataract surgery wouldn't they? It's a corticosteroid eye drop available only on prescription and also often used to treat bacterial eye conditions involving inflammation of the tissue around the eye itself.
You should be extremely careful when using the same bottle for both eyes lest you transfer an infection from one site to the other. Were you being prescribed the drops for some ailment such as conjunctivitis, it would be sensible to use two separate bottles marked left and right.
The underlying condition leading to the requirement for Prednisolone eye drops might perhaps be of interest to your AME. The drops themselves, in the short term, should cause no more than short term blurred vision.

Not an Ophthalmologist or even a purveyor of spectacles, just a visionary in the
world of Rorschach.

Sorry

I'm genuinely interested in the answer to the predisolone question. There has been some conflicting medical advice in the past. The underlying causes are well understood, and should not be cause for eyebrow raising.

Cavortingcheetah. Thanks.

The underlying cause is non of the things you describe, and only one eye is affected. The person concerned simply wishes to determine whether any short term change in visual acuity due solely to predisolone is sufficient to prevent a return to work. As you will probably know pred forte produces rapid results, but cannot be stopped quickly.

The person involved is not 'yet' required to wear spectacles.

Internet searches have not really thrown up anything terribly useful.

Very many thanks.

4468

I wonder who that might be ;) :mad: ?

I really think there should be an anonymous section of the CAA medical department where worried pilots can air their concerns without fear of getting a black mark against them or worse?

I am not an opthalmologist but if your acuity has been effected other than by age related deterioration, you have to inform Gatwick do you not? You cannot fly without taking expert advice about the acuity and that then has to be relayed to the CAA

The CAA may simply wave you on but the question is academic as the CAA will determine the outcome.

There is also the very small risk of injecting steroids via the lacrimal duct which might be relevant

Only the CAA AME can answer your question. Anything else on here is pure speculation.

He has thank you. For anyone else interested in the answer, it's acceptable.

Thank you all.

As gingernut said, though, the condition requiring the use of corticosteroids is likely to be the main concern. For example, there's a world of difference between a mild inflammation in the latter stages of recovery, and an new injury which may take weeks to recover. The eye drops themselves typically only cause minor blurring for a few minutes after being administered.

For the information of anyone in this unfortunate situation, you may wish to take a look at Iritis disease, treatment, symptoms, support, forums and doctors | Iritis.org should you feel it pertinent.

It suggests ophthalmologists may not necessarily be the best people to visit for treatment. Consider a uveitis specialist or Ocular Immunologist.

I've certainly learned a lot.

4468

My wife had this a few years ago. Used the steroid drops every hour 24/7 for 3 weeks and managed to save her eyesight. The Consultant admitted when she recovered that it was a close run thing with visits to the nearest specialist hospital (40 mile round trip) every day for 3 weeks. Very scary and picked up by an optician who told her to go to the said hospital now and don't delay and phoned ahead so they were awaiting for her. The GP knew there was a problem so booked an appointment at the hospital but 3 weeks away. Not a nice condition. And she had an injection into her eyeball :yuk::yuk::sad:

ts

You are right, it's not nice at all.

Something for anyone using Pred Forte 1%........
850 drops WILL give you cataracts.
Educate yourself!

Yes, I required cataract surgery at the age of 26 (one eye), having been on steroids for an extended period. It was either the steroids, or possible serious eye problems which the steroids prevented.

And, yes, sub-conjunctival injections are quite unpleasant too...I have been the lucky recipient of no fewer tban five over the years.

Good news is you can't get a cataract again! (Well, after YAG laser treatnment, anyway). :}