What Are Steroid Tablets?

Corticosteroid medicines are often known as steroids. They treat inflammation and swelling affecting the eye and other parts of the body.

Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids. Athletes and bodybuilders sometimes use anabolic steroids to build muscle. Corticosteroids are in the body naturally. They help regulate blood sugar, salt and water levels, metabolism and growth. They also help to control allergic reactions.

In higher doses, corticosteroids can help treat injuries and diseases affecting the eye. These tablets reduce swelling, pain, and redness. Prednisone is the steroid tablet ophthalmologists use most often for eye disease.

Uveitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the eyes. It usually happens when the body’s immune response is not working right. Ophthalmologists prescribe steroid tablets to suppress the immune system to treat uveitis. Steroid tablets can also treat Graves’ disease and giant cell arteritis.