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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the response to treatment in patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome over a long-term follow-up period.Methods: Nine patients with TINU syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up was 54.8 months (range: 24-133 months).Results: The mean number of recurrences per year declined from 1.7 in the 1st year to 0.66 in the 2nd year of treatment. The ocular inflammation responded to local corticosteroids in two patients, systemic corticosteroids in two patients, immunosuppressive therapy in four patients, and anti-TNF-α blocking agent in one patient. The therapy could be discontinued in six (67%) patients after a mean treatment period of 29.5 months. In five patients, remission with the recurrence-free period of 12.8 months was achieved.Conclusions: TINU syndrome was characterized by limited responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy and less by severe complications. A long-term course of immunosuppressants or biologics was necessary to control the uveitis and led to induction of remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the outcomes of primary transconjunctival 23-gauge (23-G) vitrectomy in the diagnosis and treatment of presumed endogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE).Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with EFE who underwent diagnostic transconjunctival 23-G vitrectomy at a tertiary referral center.Results: Nineteen eyes of 15 patients with EFE were included in the study. Four patients had bilateral and 11 patients unilateral disease. Sixteen eyes of 15 patients underwent 23-G vitrectomy to confirm the diagnosis using vitreous culture, polymerase chain reaction, and histopathologic examinations. All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal amphotericin B 5 µg/0.1 mL. Fourteen patients received additional systemic antifungal therapy. Diagnostic 23-G vitrectomy confirmed the diagnosis of EFE in 75% of the eyes (12/16). Candida was found to be a causative agent in 62.5% and Aspergillus in 12.5% of the eyes. Retinal detachment was the most common complication (42% of eyes).Conclusions: EFE can be easily confirmed using primary 23-G vitrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the long-term efficacy and tolerability of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the therapy of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OcMMP). Methods: Ten patients (19 eyes) with OcMMP treated with MMF, who had a follow-up of at least 4 years, were retrospectively analyzed. Main outcome measures were inflammatory control, progression of cicatrization, and side effects. Results: Control of inflammation was achieved in 11 eyes (58%) of 6 patients (rate: 0.11/PY). Mild inflammatory activity was observed in 8 eyes (42%) of 4 patients (rate: 0.07/PY). Progression of conjunctival cicatrization was prevented in 47% (9/19) of the eyes. Mild progression of cicatrization was found in 42% (8/19) of the eyes. Conjunctival cicatrization had progressed to stage IV in 1 patient (11%). Treatment-related side effects occurred in 7 patients (rate: 0.12/PY). Conclusion: MMF is an effective agent for treatment of OcMMP. However, the drug cannot always prevent disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of mycophenolate sodium (MPS) in patients with uveitis. Methods: Retrospective analysis including uveitis patients treated with MPS (Myfortic®) for at least 3 months duration. MPS was administered in a dose of 720 mg twice daily. Results: We analyzed 35 patients (65 affected eyes) with anterior ( n = 5), intermediate ( n = 23), posterior ( n = 6), and panuveitis ( n = 1). Previous treatment consisted of systemic corticosteroids in all patients and at least one immunomodulating agent in 15 patients. Mean duration of MPS therapy was calculated as 9.6 months (3–31 months). MPS was able to control intraocular inflammation without relapse in 30 patients (85.7%). Stabilization or improvement of visual acuity was achieved in 60 eyes (92.3%). Tolerability of MPS was good or moderate in 34 patients (97.1%). Conclusions: MPS was demonstrated as an effective and well-tolerated immunosuppressive drug for different forms of uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe treatment of chronic Irvine-Gass syndrome (CME) with interferon (IFN) alpha. Methods: Interventional retrospective case series. IFN alpha-2a was administered at a dose of 3 million IU/day subcutaneously for 4 weeks, and was tapered thereafter. Treatment efficacy was assessed by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: Three patients (4 eyes) with chronic Irvine-Gass syndrome were treated. Ineffective pretreatment included local and systemic corticosteroids. Within 4 weeks, IFN alpha led to resolution of CME in all eyes. BCVA improved in 3 eyes and remained unchanged in 1 eye. During follow-up of 3--11 months no relapse of CME occurred. No systemic or local side effects were noted. Conclusions: IFN alpha has been demonstrated to be a successful and well-tolerated treatment option for resistant chronic pseudophakic CME. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the role of IFN alpha in Irvine-Gass syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]