Regression of optic disc neovascularization in patients with Behçet's uveoretinitis after infliximab therapy

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Dec;26(6):627-30. doi: 10.1089/jop.2010.0031. Epub 2010 Nov 2.

Abstract

Purpose: Optic disc neovascularization (NVD) in patients with Behçet's uveoretinitis is a relatively uncommon but severe complication that lacks standardized treatments. We report 2 cases of Behçet's uveoretinitis that achieved partial regression of NVD after infliximab therapy.

Methods: Intravenous infliximab infusions were administrated to 2 immunosuppressive therapy-resistant Behçet's uveoretinitis patients with severe NVD accompanied by vitreous hemorrhage (both eyes in case 1 and the left eye in case 2 ). Best-corrected visual acuity, funduscopic findings, and fluorescein angiography were evaluated before and after the treatments.

Results: After being switched to infliximab therapy, NVD in both cases stopped developing and regressed partially, as confirmed by fluorescein angiography and resolution of vitreous hemorrhage, which led to an improvement of the best-corrected visual acuity.

Conclusions: Results suggest that infliximab administration might be an effective treatment in NVD patients with Behçet's uveoretinitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Behcet Syndrome / pathology
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / etiology
  • Optic Disk / blood supply
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Infliximab