Prescribing Controlled Substances in Ocular Disease: Steroids, Analgesics, and Oral Medications

Course overview

This course provides a pharmacologically grounded approach to using systemic corticosteroids and controlled analgesics safely and effectively. With growing therapeutic authority across states, optometrists are increasingly responsible for managing acute ocular inflammation and pain using medications that carry systemic risks. This course emphasizes pharmacodynamics, dosing strategies, tapering protocols, and adverse effect management, while also addressing state-by-state prescribing limits, DEA considerations, PDMP usage, and informed consent. Clinical scenarios are used to reinforce safe prescribing habits and highlight when escalation, referral, or alternative therapies are warranted.