Infliximab in the treatment of refractory posterior uveitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of infliximab in the treatment of refractory posterior uveitis.

DESIGN

Noncomparative interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Five patients with posterior uveitis were treated: 3 had Behçet's syndrome, and 2 had idiopathic posterior uveitis.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients with sight-threatening uveitis refractory to other immunosuppressive agents were treated with infliximab.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular inflammation, by using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score, retinal vasculitis, and visual acuity. Adverse effects of infliximab were documented.

RESULTS

Within 2 weeks of the first infusion of infliximab, 4 of 5 patients showed marked improvement in vitreous haze and visual acuity. By the 6-month follow-up, the same four patients had achieved remission of posterior uveitis and had successfully withdrawn all other immunosuppressive therapy. Further infusions of infliximab were required in 3 patients. One patient developed ocular and systemic tuberculosis, which responded to antituberculous treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab is effective in the treatment of sight-threatening refractory posterior uveitis. However, patients should be thoroughly screened for tuberculosis before treatment and followed up closely during and after therapy with infliximab.