[Corticosteroids and ophthalmology].

Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory and immunological diseases of the eye. They are given by three routes: topical application, periocular injection and systemic administration. Topical application, periocular injection and systemic administration. Topical application is used for anterior inflammatory diseases, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis or anterior uveitis. Posterior uveitis is treated with systemic and local injections. Herpetic keratitis is a contra-indications to the use of corticosteroids. Ocular side-effects are observed with systemic administration as well as with topical applications and local injections. They include posterior subcapsular cataract, rise of intraocular pressure and even glaucoma, failure in healing of corneal wounds and exacerbation of ocular infections. These side-effects are not always reversible when treatment is stopped. Prevention consists of repeated eye examination.