Pred Forte (Prednisolone Acetate 1%) Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, NZ Guide 2025

If your eye is angry-red, painful, light-sensitive-your specialist might reach for Pred Forte. It’s a powerful steroid drop that calms inflammation fast, but it only helps when used right. Here’s the plain-English guide: what it does, how to put it in properly, how to taper, what to watch for, and how to reach the official New Zealand sources in seconds. Expect useful checklists, exact steps, and zero fluff.

What Pred Forte Is and When It’s Used

Pred Forte is the brand name for prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic suspension. It’s a prescription steroid eye drop used to reduce inflammation inside the eye or on the eye’s surface. Doctors use it for post‑surgery inflammation (like after cataract surgery), uveitis, bad flare‑ups from severe allergic eye disease, and some corneal inflammation when infection has been ruled out or is already being treated.

It doesn’t treat infection. If the underlying problem is viral herpes simplex keratitis, fungal keratitis, or an untreated bacterial infection, a steroid can make things worse. That’s why a proper eye exam is non‑negotiable before starting it.

“Topical ophthalmic corticosteroids can raise intraocular pressure, delay healing, and may exacerbate or mask infection; they should be used with careful monitoring.” - American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern (2023)

Quick facts that matter:

• Active ingredient: prednisolone acetate 1% suspension (you must shake it well).
• Class: topical corticosteroid (anti‑inflammatory).
• Prescription: required in New Zealand (Medsafe‑regulated).
• Common use length: days to weeks, then taper; chronic use needs close supervision.
• Not for: active epithelial herpes simplex, fungal eye disease, vaccinia/varicella, or untreated purulent infections.

What outcome should you expect? Less pain, less redness, less light sensitivity within a few days if the cause is inflammatory. Vision changes can take longer. If things worsen after starting, that’s a red flag-call your prescriber the same day.

Exactly How to Use It: Steps, Dosing, Tapering, Storage

This drop is a suspension. If you don’t shake it enough, you won’t get the intended dose.

Before you start (quick checks):

• Confirm indication with an eye care professional. Steroids are not a self‑treat for a red eye.
• Check the cap seal is intact at first use; note the open date on the label.
• If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before dosing. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in (many bottles contain benzalkonium chloride).

How to put in the drops (zero mess method):

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Shake the bottle hard for 15-20 seconds. It’s a suspension-this step matters.
3. Tilt your head back, look up, and gently pull down your lower lid to make a small pocket.
4. Hold the bottle 1-2 cm above the eye. Don’t touch your eye or lashes with the tip.
5. Instill one drop into the pocket. One drop is enough; more will just spill.
6. Close your eye. With a clean finger, press gently on the inner corner (near the nose) for 1-2 minutes. This punctal occlusion trick keeps the medicine in the eye and lowers systemic absorption.
7. Blot excess. Keep lids closed for another minute if you can.

Label dosing (always follow your prescriber, who may adjust):

• Mild to moderate inflammation: 1 drop 2-4 times a day.
• Severe cases: your doctor may start as often as hourly while awake for a short burst, then reduce.
• Post‑op routines often begin at 4×/day, then taper weekly. Exact plans vary by surgeon and case.

Spacing and combos:

• Using multiple eye meds? Separate them by 5-10 minutes. Gels/ointments go last.
• If you’re also on an NSAID drop after surgery, use exactly as prescribed. Combo therapy can raise corneal risk in some settings; your surgeon weighs that up.

Tapering (critical):

• Do not stop suddenly if you’ve used it more than a few days. Steroid rebound is a real thing.
• Typical taper: step down the number of daily drops each week (for example: 4×/day → 3×/day → 2×/day → 1×/day → stop). Your plan might differ; follow the script.
• Any return of pain, light sensitivity, or blur during a taper? Call and pause at the current step until reviewed.

Storage and expiry:

• Store at room temperature (usually 15-25°C), don’t freeze, and protect from light. Keep the cap tight.
• In New Zealand, pharmacies generally advise discarding most multi‑dose eye drops 4 weeks after opening to reduce contamination risk. If your product says otherwise, follow the label.
• Travel tip: keep the bottle in your carry‑on and away from heat; shake before every use.

Missed a dose? Take it when you remember unless it’s close to the next one. Don’t double up. If you miss several doses during a burst or early post‑op period, ring your clinic for advice.

Safety: Side Effects, Warnings, Red Flags

Steroids save sight when used right, and cause trouble when used wrong. Here’s what to watch.

Common, usually mild:

• Temporary stinging or mild blur after a drop (clears in a minute or two).
• Dryness, foreign‑body sensation.
• Bad taste at the back of the throat (pressing the inner corner helps prevent this).

Less common but important:

• Increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Some people are “steroid responders.” Pressure rise often shows up within 2-6 weeks, sometimes sooner in kids or with potent steroids.
• Delayed healing, corneal thinning risk in compromised corneas.
• Worsening or masking of infections (herpes simplex, fungal, bacterial).
• Cataract formation with long‑term/repeated courses, especially posterior subcapsular type.

Absolute do‑not‑use situations (unless your ophthalmologist is directing otherwise for a very specific reason):

• Active epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic lesions).
• Known or suspected fungal eye infection.
• Vaccinia or varicella eye disease.
• Untreated purulent infection of the eye.

Call the prescriber today if you notice:

• Worsening pain, redness, or light sensitivity after starting the drops.
• Sudden increase in blur, halos around lights, brow ache, nausea-could be high pressure.
• Pus, crusting, or new discharge you didn’t have before.
• Any injury to the eye while on the drops.

Special groups:

• Glaucoma: you’ll likely need closer IOP checks; sometimes a milder steroid is chosen.
• Children: can respond strongly with pressure rises-close follow‑up is key.
• Pregnancy/breastfeeding: systemic exposure is low with proper use and punctal occlusion, but discuss risks/benefits with your specialist.
• Contact lens wearers: avoid wearing lenses during active inflammation; wait at least 15 minutes after dosing before reinsertion.

What the authorities say mirrors this:

“Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids may result in increased intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, posterior subcapsular cataract formation, and may delay healing.” - Medsafe Data Sheet: Prednisolone Acetate 1% Eye Drops (current at time of writing)

Pred Forte vs Other Steroid Drops

Different steroid drops have different potency, dosing convenience, and pressure‑raising risk. Your doctor picks based on the diagnosis, severity, and your risk profile. Here’s a practical snapshot.

How to choose, in plain terms:

• Need a strong, proven anti‑inflammatory for the front of the eye? Prednisolone acetate 1% is the workhorse.
• Pressure spikes easily or needs long‑term control? Loteprednol is often friendlier for IOP, but may be less potent for deep inflammation.
• Severe uveitis or hard‑to‑calm post‑op inflammation? Difluprednate is potent with fewer daily doses, but IOP monitoring is critical.

Availability and funding can change. In New Zealand, products and subsidies are set through Medsafe approvals and the PHARMAC Schedule. Your pharmacist can tell you what’s stocked and what’s funded right now.

Find the Official Pred Forte Info Fast (NZ)

If your goal was to get straight to the official source, here’s the shortest path without hunting around.

To find the Medsafe Data Sheet quickly (no link needed):

1. Open your search engine.
2. Type: Medsafe data sheet Pred Forte prednisolone acetate 1%.
3. Click the result hosted on medsafe.govt.nz. Look for a PDF called “Data Sheet” or “Consumer Medicine Information.”
4. Check the revision date on page one so you know it’s current.

To check current NZ funding/availability:

1. Search: PHARMAC Schedule prednisolone acetate eye drops.
2. Confirm brand, strength (1%), and pack size. Ask your pharmacy if a different brand is in stock-they’re therapeutically equivalent if the active ingredient, strength, and dosage form match.

What to confirm on your bottle/label:

• Drug and strength: prednisolone acetate 1% suspension.
• Dose instructions and taper plan.
• Open date and discard date (4 weeks is common advice in NZ).
• Preservative listed (often benzalkonium chloride). If you have preservative sensitivity, ask about preservative‑free options or unit doses.

Follow‑up timing to plan for:

• Post‑op cataract: usually a planned review in the first week.
• Uveitis: often within a few days to a week, with pressure checks at 2-4 weeks if on steroids.
• Any pressure concerns or symptoms: sooner.

Quick answers (FAQ):

Q: Is Pred Forte the same as prednisolone acetate 1%?
A: Pred Forte is a brand of prednisolone acetate 1% suspension. Pharmacies may supply a generic equivalent; the active ingredient, strength, and effect are the same when used correctly.

Q: How long until I feel better?
A: Many people feel less irritation within 24-72 hours if the condition is steroid‑responsive. Full recovery depends on the cause. If you’re not improving by day 3, call your clinic.

Q: Can I drive after using it?
A: You may have short‑term blur for a minute or two after a drop. Wait until your vision clears before driving.

Q: Can I use it with antibiotic drops?
A: Often yes, and they’re frequently prescribed together when infection risk exists. Separate drops by 5-10 minutes.

Q: Do I really need to taper?
A: Yes, if you’ve used it beyond a few days. Your prescriber will set the schedule to prevent rebound inflammation.

Q: What if I accidentally touched the bottle tip to my eye?
A: Wipe the tip with a clean tissue, recap, and avoid contact next time. If your eye becomes irritated or you see debris in the solution, ask for a fresh bottle.

Troubleshooting and next steps (by situation):

• Post‑op patient: set phone reminders for 4×/day in week one. Keep a simple taper chart on the fridge so you don’t lose count.
• Contact lens wearer: plan lens‑free days during acute inflammation. If you must wear lenses, put them in at least 15 minutes after drops, and stick to daily disposables until healed.
• Parent dosing a child: use the “closed‑eye” trick. Place a drop on the inner corner of a closed eye; when your child blinks, it goes in. Still do punctal occlusion.
• History of glaucoma: ask for an IOP check within 2-4 weeks of starting, sooner if you notice halos, brow ache, or worsening blur.
• On multiple eye meds: label each bottle with a colored sticker and time of day. Steroid first, wait 5-10 minutes, then other drops; ointments last.

When in doubt, ring your prescribing clinic or pharmacist. Steroid drops are powerful tools-respect them, and they’ll look after you.