Intraocular methotrexate in the treatment of uveitis and uveitic cystoid macular edema. 2009

Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.

OBJECTIVE A pilot study to evaluate the use of intravitreal methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of uveitis and uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS Prospective, consecutive, interventional case series. METHODS Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with a unilateral exacerbation of noninfectious intermediate, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis and/or CME such that visual acuity (VA) was 20/40 or worse, together with a history of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in response to corticosteroid administration. METHODS Intravitreal injection of 400 microg in 0.1 ml MTX. METHODS The primary outcome measure was VA (using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart). Other outcome measures included ocular inflammation scores, time to relapse, levels of systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy, and ocular coherence tomography. Potential complications of intravitreal MTX injection, including cataract progression, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and corneal epitheliopathy, were assessed. RESULTS VA improved at all time points and was statistically significant at the 3- and 6-month follow-up examinations. The mean visual improvement was 4 lines at 3 months and 4.5 lines at 6 months, with no statistical difference between the best VA obtained after MTX injection and after previous corticosteroid treatment, including intravitreal triamcinolone acetate injection. Five patients relapsed after a median of 4 months; a similar improvement was seen after re-injection. Ocular inflammation scores improved at all time points, and systemic immunosuppressive medication was reduced in 3 of 7 patients taking this at the start of the trial. CONCLUSIONS In patients with uveitis and uveitic CME, intravitreal MTX can improve VA and reduce CME and, in some patients, allows the reduction of immunosuppressive therapy. Relapse occurs at a median of 4 months in some patients, but reinjection has similar efficacy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D007267 Injections Introduction of substances into the body using a needle and syringe. Injectables,Injectable,Injection
D007429 Intraocular Pressure The pressure of the fluids in the eye. Ocular Tension,Intraocular Pressures,Ocular Tensions,Pressure, Intraocular,Pressures, Intraocular,Tension, Ocular,Tensions, Ocular
D008269 Macular Edema Fluid accumulation in the outer layer of the MACULA LUTEA that results from intraocular or systemic insults. It may develop in a diffuse pattern where the macula appears thickened or it may acquire the characteristic petaloid appearance referred to as cystoid macular edema. Although macular edema may be associated with various underlying conditions, it is most commonly seen following intraocular surgery, venous occlusive disease, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, and posterior segment inflammatory disease. (From Survey of Ophthalmology 2004; 49(5) 470-90) Central Retinal Edema, Cystoid,Cystoid Macular Edema,Macular Edema, Cystoid,Cystoid Macular Dystrophy,Cystoid Macular Edema, Postoperative,Irvine-Gass Syndrome,Macular Dystrophy, Dominant Cystoid,Edema, Cystoid Macular,Edema, Macular,Irvine Gass Syndrome,Syndrome, Irvine-Gass
D008297 Male Males
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D005260 Female Females

Related Publications

Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
July 2018, Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
July 2018, American journal of ophthalmology,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
January 2007, Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
September 2006, Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960),
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
March 2003, Ocular immunology and inflammation,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
January 2010, Developments in ophthalmology,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
May 2005, Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
April 2012, Ocular immunology and inflammation,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
December 2005, Ocular immunology and inflammation,
Simon R J Taylor, and Zohar Habot-Wilner, and Patricio Pacheco, and Sue L Lightman
January 2015, International ophthalmology clinics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!