Final answer:
To decrease ocular inflammation and prevent scarring in the eye, medications like corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in ophthalmology. Corticosteroids inhibit the immune response to lower inflammation, while NSAIDs are used to manage inflammation and prevent blood clots. These drugs must be used with care due to potential immune suppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ophthalmology, substances like corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to decrease the ocular inflammatory response to trauma, reduce corneal inflammation, prevent the eye from scarring, and decrease postoperative swelling. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, work by downregulating the immune system and inhibiting the inflammatory response. This characteristic makes them effective in treating various eye conditions that could lead to scarring and loss of vision if not managed properly. Meanwhile, NSAIDs such as aspirin may also play a role in managing inflammation, although they are more commonly associated with inhibiting blood clot formation and are used in conditions requiring regular heart care.
Regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs, whether corticosteroids or NSAIDs, can have undesirable consequences, particularly an increased susceptibility to infections due to the suppressed inflammatory response, which is the body's natural defense mechanism. Hence, while anti-inflammatory drugs are beneficial in controlling ocular inflammation and preventing scarring, they must be used judiciously to balance their therapeutic effects against potential side effects.