The use of infliximab in ocular inflammation
- Catherine A.M. Prendivillle (camprendiville{at}yahoo.ca),
- Maeve O'Doherty (maeveodoherty{at}eircom.net),
- Paul Moriarty (moripds{at}eircom.net),
- Lorraine Cassidy (dalye1{at}tcd.ie)
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Eire
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Eire
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Eire
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Eire
- Published Online First 11 April 2008
Abstract
Introduction: Experience with anti TNF αmedications in ophthalmology has been mainly in the treatment of resistant uveitis and scleritis. There have been a few case reports1 and one case series13 detailing the use of Infliximab in the treatment of orbital inflammatory disease. However there is still limited experience with these agents in a variety of orbital inflammatory conditions. We describe successful suppression of inflammation with Infliximab in the Idiopathic orbital inflammation, thyroid associated orbital inflammation and chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy.
Methods: This is a retrospective observational case series of five cases of orbital and ocular inflammation.
Results: We describe effects of Infliximab in the treatment of 3 cases of orbital inflammation and 2 cases of CRION all of which were unresponsive to alternative immune modulators. The patients received relief of symptoms and signs of inflammation in all 5 cases. However, this relief was not absolute as symptoms returned around week 5 post inflammation.
Conclusion: This report highlights the expanding role of the biological agents in ophthalmology. Although, not the answer in treatment, they offer a valuable alternative to steroids in cases of refractory inflammation.
