rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:906-913 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.153874
  • Clinical science
    • Original Article

Efficacy and tolerability of interferon alpha treatment in patients with chronic cystoid macular oedema due to non-infectious uveitis

  1. C M E Deuter1,
  2. I Kötter2,
  3. I Günaydin2,
  4. N Stübiger1,
  5. D G Doycheva1,
  6. M Zierhut1
  1. 1
    Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  2. 2
    Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  1. Dr C M E Deuter, University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Schleichstrasse 12–16, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; christoph.deuter{at}med.uni-tuebingen.de
  • Accepted 9 February 2009
  • Published Online First 24 March 2009

Abstract

Aim: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of interferon (IFN) alpha in chronic cystoid macular oedema (CMO) due to non-infectious uveitis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of an interventional case series. IFN alpha-2a was administered at an initial dose of 3 or 6 million IU per day subcutaneously and tapered afterwards to the lowest possible dose to maintain the absence of CMO. Treatment efficacy was assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Results: Twenty-four patients with chronic CMO (median duration 36.0 months) due to non-infectious anterior (n = 2), intermediate (n = 18) or posterior (n = 4) uveitis have been analysed. Ineffective pretreatment included systemic corticosteroids (all patients), acetazolamide (22 patients) and at least one immunosuppressive drug (18 patients). IFN therapy was shown to be effective ( = complete resolution of CMO within 3 months, able to taper IFN) in 15 patients (62.5%), partly effective ( = incomplete resolution of CMO, unable to taper IFN) in six patients (25.0%) and not effective ( = no response or recurrence of CMO) in three patients (12.5%). IFN treatment was generally well tolerated. Common side effects including flu-like symptoms, fatigue or increased liver enzymes were dose-dependent and led to discontinuation of IFN in only one patient.

Conclusion: The data demonstrate IFN alpha to be an effective and well-tolerated therapy for chronic refractory uveitic CMO.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF
  4. All versions of this article:
    1. bjo.2008.153874v1
    2. 93/7/906 most recent

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.