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Purpose : To assess the efficacy of interferon (IFN) alpha-2a in the treatment of post-uveitic refractory macular edema (ME). Methods : Retrospective cohort of patients with post-uveitic refractory ME, who received subcutaneous IFN alpha-2a injections for at least 3 months. Baseline central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared with those at follow-up visits up to 12 months. Results : Thirty-seven patients were included. Treatment duration (median [interquartile range]) was 14[8-24] months with a follow-up of 17[10-38] months. CMT (mean [standard deviation]) decreased from 438[140] to 335[119] μm after 1 month (p < 0.0001) and remained significantly lower up to 12 months (286[98] μm, p = 0.001). BCVA (0.48[0.33] logMAR at baseline) improved by 0.26[0.33] logMAR (p = 0.001) at 12 months. There were 14 recurrences. Seven patients had treatment side effects, without serious adverse events. Conclusions : IFN alpha-2a was effective, safe, and well tolerated in treating post-uveitic refractory ME.

Purpose : To assess the efficacy and safety of systemic interferon alpha-2a (IFN) for refractory pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME). Methods : Retrospective observational study. The primary outcome was the decrease of central retinal thickness (CRT). Secondary endpoints were the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the assessment of IFN-related side effects. Results : Twenty-four eyes of 20 patients were included. The median CRT was 513 µm (range 220-980 µm) at baseline and decreased to 190 µm (range 140-520 µm) at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Reduction of CRT greater than 100 µm was observed in 22 eyes (92%). The median BCVA (logMAR) increased statistically significant from 0.5 (range 0.2-1.5) at baseline to 0.3 (0-0.8) at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The BCVA improved in 18 eyes (75%) and remained stable in five eyes (21%). No severe treatment-related side effects occurred. Conclusion : IFN is a very effective agent for treatment of refractory PCME.

Purpose : To assess the efficacy and tolerability of interferon (IFN) alpha-2a in post-infectious uveitis secondary to presumed intraocular tuberculosis (IOTB). Methods : Patients with chronic uveitis secondary to presumed IOTB who, after completing an antitubercular treatment, showed poor response to treatments or recurred after tapering oral corticosteroids to ≤7.5 mg/day were enrolled. All patients were treated with IFN alpha-2a subcutaneous injections. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and inflammatory signs were compared between baseline and follow-up visits up to six months. Results : Twelve eyes (six patients) were enrolled. Mean BCVA improved from 0.64 ± 0.55 logMAR at baseline to 0.32 ± 0.31 logMAR at 6 months ( p  = 0.03). Mean CRT decreased from 372 ± 132.2 μm to 274.66 ± 34.9 μm at six months ( p  = 0.01). Inflammatory signs (vitritis, vasculitis) also decreased overtime. No major complications or tuberculosis reactivations were recorded. Conclusions : IFN alpha-2a was efficacious and safe in treating chronic post-infectious uveitis secondary to presumed IOTB.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of interferon alpha-2a (IFNα-2a) in Chinese patients with Behçet's uveitis (BU) refractory to conventional therapy., Methods: In a prospective observational cohort study, 127 patients were treated with an initial dosage of 3 million units per day in the first three months, followed by gradual tapering of the dose., Results: After 3 months of treatment, IFNα-2a was shown to be effective in 115 cases (91%). At the end of the 1-year follow-up, the frequency of ocular relapses decreased to 1.59 ± 1.68 per year (ranging 0-6) (p < 0.001), as compared to 5.09 ± 2.51 per year (ranging 3-15). Moreover, the frequency of oral ulcer relapses also decreased to 2.49 ± 1.84 per year (ranging 0-6) (p < 0.001), as compared to 8.20 ± 3.72 per year (ranging 2-10). Visual improvement or stability was observed in 32 patients (59%) in these 54 patients. During a mean follow-up of 11 months (range 3-33), the mean final VA (logMAR) had progressed from 1.0 logMAR to 0.8 logMAR in all treated patients., Conclusions: Long-term low dose of IFNα-2a is useful in treating Chinese BU patients who do not respond adequately to conventional therapy.