Intravitreal Methotrexate for the Treatment and Prevention of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to report on the use of intravitreal methotrexate for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in pediatric patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients treated with intravitreal methotrexate for PVR. Primary outcome measures included final visual acuity at last follow-up visit, and incidence of recurrent detachments following initiation of therapy.

RESULTS

Patients received an average of ten injections of intravitreal methotrexate. The average follow-up period was 10 months. Seven out of nine (78%) patients did not detach again following initiation of methotrexate therapy. All patients (100%) were attached at last follow-up visit. There were no keratitis or corneal epithelial defects during follow-up. Visual acuity improved from a median of hand motions to counting fingers at last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from this small and variable sample size demonstrates the potential of intravitreal methotrexate injections to be an effective agent for the treatment and prevention of PVR in the pediatric population.