Justus G Garweg1,2. 1. Berner Augenklinik am Lindenhofspital, Affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Inselspital, Universität Bern, Bremgartenstr 119, 3012, Bern, Schweiz. justus.garweg@swiss-eye-institute.com. 2. Swiss Eye Institute, Rotkreuz, Schweiz. justus.garweg@swiss-eye-institute.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Modern treatment of uveitis aims at a complete control of inflammatory activity, preservation of visual function and the prevention of secondary organ damage as a consequence of the underlying inflammatory disease and its treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article gives an update about the strategies of pharmacological and surgical options for uveitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The outcomes reported here are based on a PubMed search using the terms <"uveitis" AND "therapy"> and <"uveitis" AND "surgery" OR "surgical treatment">. All prospective studies and case series with more than 20 cases as well as review articles from the last 5 years along with cited cross-references were evaluated. RESULTS: Local and systemic corticosteroids form the foundation of treatment after exclusion of an infectious etiology. If uveitis activity is not controlled within 6 weeks or if the daily corticosteroid dosage is unacceptably high, a treatment escalation using immunomodulatory drugs is required. If a complete control of inflammatory activity is not achieved, in a third phase treatment is supplemented by antibody-based treatment or cytokines, so-called biologics, with the aim of complete long-term freedom from disease without local or systemic steroid treatment. This target is achieved in 65-80% and guarantees long-term functional stability and anatomical integrity. Early treatment escalation in cases of persisting or recurrent activity as a rule prevents new secondary organ damage. Surgical options are utilized for diagnostic purposes, the administration of intravitreal drugs and for treatment of secondary complications. CONCLUSION: Just like the majority of immunological diseases, uveitis is a chronic disease requiring long-term and possibly lifelong treatment and remission (absence of inflammation without treatment) is achieved in only <20%. Surgical interventions can be performed with a good prognosis, if the optic nerve head and macula are not involved. They have a substantially lower complication rate when freedom from symptoms exists preoperatively for at least 3 months.
BACKGROUND: Modern treatment of uveitis aims at a complete control of inflammatory activity, preservation of visual function and the prevention of secondary organ damage as a consequence of the underlying inflammatory disease and its treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article gives an update about the strategies of pharmacological and surgical options for uveitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The outcomes reported here are based on a PubMed search using the terms <"uveitis" AND "therapy"> and <"uveitis" AND "surgery" OR "surgical treatment">. All prospective studies and case series with more than 20 cases as well as review articles from the last 5 years along with cited cross-references were evaluated. RESULTS: Local and systemic corticosteroids form the foundation of treatment after exclusion of an infectious etiology. If uveitis activity is not controlled within 6 weeks or if the daily corticosteroid dosage is unacceptably high, a treatment escalation using immunomodulatory drugs is required. If a complete control of inflammatory activity is not achieved, in a third phase treatment is supplemented by antibody-based treatment or cytokines, so-called biologics, with the aim of complete long-term freedom from disease without local or systemic steroid treatment. This target is achieved in 65-80% and guarantees long-term functional stability and anatomical integrity. Early treatment escalation in cases of persisting or recurrent activity as a rule prevents new secondary organ damage. Surgical options are utilized for diagnostic purposes, the administration of intravitreal drugs and for treatment of secondary complications. CONCLUSION: Just like the majority of immunological diseases, uveitis is a chronic disease requiring long-term and possibly lifelong treatment and remission (absence of inflammation without treatment) is achieved in only <20%. Surgical interventions can be performed with a good prognosis, if the optic nerve head and macula are not involved. They have a substantially lower complication rate when freedom from symptoms exists preoperatively for at least 3 months.
Authors: C Stephen Foster; Srishti Kothari; Stephen D Anesi; Albert T Vitale; David Chu; Jamie Lynne Metzinger; Olga Cerón Journal: Surv Ophthalmol Date: 2015-07-09 Impact factor: 6.048