Long-term effects of intravitreal infliximab for treatment of sight-threatening chronic noninfectious uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the safety and long-term effects of infliximab on chronic noninfectious uveitis with measuring best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT).


METHODS
Ten eyes of 7 patients were included in this prospective case series. All the patients had noninfectious anterior and posterior uveitis that was unresponsive to conventional treatments for 3 months. About 1.5 mg of infliximab in 0.15 cc was injected intravitreally and the patients were followed for 6 months. BCVA was measured by Snellen chart and grading of vitritis was measured according to binocular indirect ophthalmoscope score before injection, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the injection. CMT was measured 1 day before injection and compared with the same factors 4 weeks and 6 months after the injection.


RESULTS
Mean of LogMAR before injection was 1.37±0.43 that changed to 0.67±0.55 and 1.38±0.36 one month and 6 months after the injection, respectively. Mean CMT before injection was 673.2±338.39 that changed to 456.4±317.46 and 659.3±342.48, 4 weeks and 6 months after the injection, respectively. Mean vitreous haziness grade before injection, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the injection was 2.7, 0.95, 2.3, and 2.6, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal Infliximab may be used in treatment of noninfectious uveitis. It probably improves the vision and decreases the macular edema but its effect is temporary and repeated injections may be needed to achieve the best therapeutic goal.
Department of Ophthalmology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Mohsen
M
Farvardin
Mehrdad
M
Afarid
Sahab
S
Shahrzad
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000069285:Infliximab