Which formulation of topical corticosteroid achieves the deepest corneal and intraocular penetration and therefore carries correspondingly higher anti-inflammatory potency for intraocular disease?

• A Prednisolone sodium phosphate solution
• B Hydrocortisone acetate suspension
• C Fluorometholone alcohol suspension
• D Prednisolone acetate suspension ✓

Explanation

Penetration of topical steroids follows the order acetate ester greater than alcohol greater than phosphate salt. Prednisolone acetate 1% suspension penetrates intact corneal epithelium well and reaches therapeutic aqueous levels, making it the workhorse for intraocular inflammation such as anterior uveitis. Sodium phosphate is highly water soluble but penetrates poorly through lipophilic epithelium, and fluorometholone penetrates less despite being designed for surface disease with low IOP response.

Reference: Khurana's Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.