Changing biological disease modifying treatment for paediatric uveitis in the real world

IMPORTANCE Paediatric uveitis is a severe sight-threatening uveitis due to disease progression and treatment failure. Biological agents are a promising new treatment. This study provides real-world data on their use from Sydney, Australia. BACKGROUND Traditionally corticosteroids and non-biological immunosuppressive agents were used to treat paediatric uveitis, often with poor outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective, chart review over an 8-year period at a tertiary referral eye hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 27 paediatric uveitis patients treated with biological agents. METHODS Chart review of demographic data and treatment outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Treatment efficacy (corticosteroid-sparing effect, topical steroid cessation/reduction, reduction in systemic-steroid sparing agents, change in intraocular inflammation, visual acuity and central macular thickness); treatment failure; and adverse events. Data were collected at biological initiation, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. RESULTS Biological therapy over 1 year was effective with prednisolone dose reduced to