Fluorometholone: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When your eyes are red, swollen, or burning, sometimes a simple prescription can make all the difference. 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 basic lubricants or antihistamines. Unlike oral steroids that affect your whole body, Fluorometholone targets just the eye—minimizing side effects while still calming down irritation from allergies, infections, or post-surgery healing.

It’s not a cure, but a tool. Doctors reach for Fluorometholone when the eye’s immune system goes into overdrive—like after cataract surgery, during severe allergic conjunctivitis, or in cases of uveitis. It works by blocking the chemicals that cause swelling, redness, and pain. But because it’s a steroid, it’s not something you use long-term without supervision. Overuse can raise eye pressure, lead to cataracts, or even mask an underlying infection. That’s why it’s often paired with antibiotics or given in short bursts. People who wear contacts, have glaucoma, or have had eye surgery before need extra monitoring. The key is using it exactly as directed—not longer, not stronger.

Fluorometholone doesn’t work the same for everyone. Some feel relief in a day; others need a week. It’s often compared to other steroid eye drops like prednisolone or loteprednol. Each has its own balance of strength and safety. Fluorometholone sits in the middle—strong enough to help, mild enough to be safer for sensitive eyes. That’s why it’s a go-to for kids, older adults, and anyone needing repeated treatment. If you’ve been told to use it, you’re not alone. Thousands use it every day to get back to normal vision without pain.

What you’ll find below are real patient stories and clinical insights about Fluorometholone—from how it fits into recovery after LASIK, to what happens when people stop too soon, to how it stacks up against natural remedies and newer non-steroid options. These aren’t just drug facts. They’re experiences from people who’ve been there—what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known before starting.