Effectiveness of difluprednate in addition to systemic therapy for the treatment of anterior scleritis.

AIM: To describe the effectiveness and side-effect profile of adding difluprednate therapy to patients with anterior scleritis being treated systemically.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review. Charts from all patients with anterior scleritis who were treated with topical difluprednate in addition to systemic therapy from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2020 were reviewed. Data collected included: demographics, scleritis type, systemic diagnosis, presence of nodules or necrosis, changes in scleritis activity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of difluprednate drops used, type of systemic treatment used, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and lens status. The primary outcome was clinical resolution of scleritis. Secondary outcomes included BCVA loss ≥2 lines, change in lens status or cataract surgery and IOP ≥24 mm Hg.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients (44 eyes) were analysed. The median age was 57 years (IQR 52, 72); 59% were female; 72% were Caucasian. An associated systemic disease was present in 59%. Systemic therapies used when difluprednate was added were: 65% immunosuppressive agents, 43% prednisone and 25% non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The addition of difluprednate resulted in clinical resolution in 79.6% of the treated eyes. Median time to inactivity was 9 weeks (IQR 5, 20). Eyes initially using 2-4 drops per day had a higher response rate (89%, p=0.005). Over a median follow-up of 34 weeks (IQR 21, 74), 11 eyes had IOP elevation; 6 eyes lost ≥2 lines of BCVA, 5 eyes had cataract progression.

CONCLUSION

Most eyes treated with difluprednate achieved inactivity. The addition of difluprednate to systemic therapies provides an alternative to achieve control of inflammation.