When your eyes are red, swollen, or burning from inflammation, fluorometholone, a synthetic corticosteroid used in eye drops to reduce inflammation. Also known as FML, it’s one of the most commonly prescribed steroid treatments for eye conditions that don’t respond to regular lubricants or antihistamines. Unlike oral steroids that affect your whole body, fluorometholone works right where it’s needed—on the surface of your eye. That’s why doctors reach for it when you’ve got allergic conjunctivitis, uveitis, or irritation after eye surgery. It doesn’t cure the root cause, but it gives your eye time to heal by calming down the immune response that’s making things worse.
Fluorometholone is part of a bigger group called corticosteroids, hormone-like drugs that suppress inflammation and immune activity. Other steroids like prednisone or dexamethasone work systemically, but fluorometholone is designed for local use. That means fewer side effects like weight gain or high blood pressure—but it still carries risks if misused. Long-term use can raise eye pressure, which might lead to glaucoma, or blur your vision by causing cataracts. That’s why it’s almost always prescribed for short bursts, not daily maintenance. If your doctor gives you a bottle, they’re likely treating a flare-up, not a lifelong condition.
People often confuse fluorometholone with regular lubricating drops or antibiotic eye drops. But it’s not for dry eyes or infections—it’s for inflammation. If your eyes are red from allergies, it can help. If they’re red from an infection, it could make things worse. That’s why it’s prescription-only. You’ll also see it paired with antibiotics in some formulations, especially after cataract or LASIK surgery, to prevent both infection and swelling at once. It’s not a first-line treatment, but when other options fail, it’s often the next step.
What you won’t find in most drug ads is how real people use it. Some patients swear by it after seasonal allergies wrecked their vision. Others had to switch because their eye pressure climbed too high. A few found it worked better than loteprednol or prednisolone, while others didn’t notice a difference. The key isn’t which brand is stronger—it’s whether your condition matches what fluorometholone can actually do. And that’s what the posts below cover: real comparisons, patient experiences, and practical advice on using it safely, spotting side effects, and knowing when to ask for something else.
FML Forte (fluorometholone) treats eye inflammation, but safer alternatives like Lotemax and Alrex exist. Learn when to use each, the risks of steroids, and non-steroid options for long-term relief.
Fluorometholone can help control inflammation in autoimmune eye diseases like uveitis and scleritis, but it's not without risks. Learn how it works, who should use it, and what alternatives exist.