Comparative anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical corticosteroids with low glaucoma-inducing potential

H. M. Leibowitz, W. J. Ryan Jr and A. Kupferman
Department of Ophthalmology, University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118.

Fluorometholone and clobetasone butyrate have been developed as ophthalmic corticosteroids because of their lesser potential to elevate intraocular pressure. Nevertheless, their primary use is the inhibition of an inflammatory response. Quantification of their anti-inflammatory effect in the rabbit cornea indicates that 0.1% fluorometholone and 0.1% clobetasone butyrate are effective, but weak, anti-inflammatory agents. An increase in concentration of fluorometholone to 0.25% failed to enhance its anti-inflammatory effectiveness significantly, while an increase in concentration of clobetasone butyrate to 0.5% did significantly increase its anti-inflammatory effect. As with all other corticosteroid bases studied to date, formulation of fluorometholone as an acetate derivative significantly increased its effectiveness, rendering it as effective as 1.0% prednisolone acetate, the most effective of commercially available ophthalmic corticosteroids.