maxidex eye drops

Who else had side effects from Maxidex?

My mom was prescribed Maxidex in her post operation day in the package they gave to her, but one of the eyes, after the cataract operation, see very blurry, almost nothing, after the first day of the operation, as she began to use Maxidex drops in her eyes. The doctor said she also had had Glaucoma before the operation, that’s why she does not see well now.

Maxidex is a steroid that is commonly prescribed for use after ocular surgery to minimize intraocular inflammation. Steroids are a double-edged sword as too much inflammation can result in poor vision or an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Elevated IOP can cause optic nerve damage, or glaucoma. However, steroids can also result in high pressures. This balancing act is one of the things eye surgeons have to deal with on a regular basis after surgery.

In someone who already has glaucoma this balancing act becomes even more challenging: is a high pressure from the inflammation or the steroid? If from the inflammation, then the steroid is the correct treatment and discontinuing it could result in permanent loss of vision.

There is no way anyone other than an ophthalmologist could make the decision to discontinue steroid drops after surgery. The WRONG thing to do would be to discontinue the drops without first consulting with an ophthalmologist.

Second-guessing the surgeon can lead to loss of vision. That being said, a second opinion from another ophthalmologist can often result in piece of mind that the correct treatment is being recommended.

Hope this was helpful.

Sincerely,

David D. Richardson, M.D.
Medical Director

San Gabriel Valley Eye Associates, Inc.
LA and So Cal’s Trusted source of Eyecare

207 S. Santa Anita Street, Suite P-25
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626.289.7856