Immunosuppressive therapy in non-infections uveitis and retinovasculitis

Abstract

Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the immunosuppressive therapy for severe forms of non-infections uveitis and retinovasculitis.Methods: 107 patients (62 males and 45 females aged 9 to 54 years) who received low dose methotrexate — 7.5-20 mg once a week (n=79) cyclosporine A 3.5-5.0 mg/kg/d (n=21) with prednisone or other antimetabolites and local corticosteroid therapy for severe forms of inflammatory eye diseases.Results: the efficacy of methotrexate as monotherapy was 51.8% of patients with chronic uveitis. Control of acute inflammation was achived in 71.1% patients, who received methotrexate in combination with prednisolone. Cyclosporine A was more effective in controlling inflammatory of the eye: remission of uveitis was achived in 85.7% in combination with glucocorticoids. No significant side effects have been noted.Conclusion: Methotrexate and cyclosporine A with low dose of prednisolone are well tolerated immunosuppressive agents andrather effective in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis and retinovasculitis that fails to respond to conventional steroid treatment.

Keywords

• uveitis
• retinovasculitis
• immunosuppressive agents