They are widely used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases of various organs including the eye (e.g. allergic and vernal conjunctivitis, corneal diseases, iritis, uveitis and sympathetic ophthalmia). The natural glucocorticoids, such as cortisone and hydrocortisone, are effective only at high doses. Synthetic and more potent steroids are used in ophthalmic treatment (when used as ophthalmic preparations they are called corticosteroids).