Periocular corticosteroid injection in the management of uveitis in children

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010 Dec;88(8):e299-304. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.02025.x.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the outcome of orbital floor corticosteroid injection (OFCI) in the management of uveitis in children.

Methods: A retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. The medical records of 15 consecutive children (19 eyes) with various forms of uveitis treated with OFCI of 40 mg/ml methylprednisolone acetate or a combination of 20 mg/0.5 ml Triamcinolone and 2 mg/0.5 ml dexamethasone were reviewed. Data were collected 6 months postinjection and included details of uveitis, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular inflammation, systemic therapy required and potential complications of OFCI.

Results: The mean BCVA improvement was 0.18 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (p < 0.001), at a mean of 6 weeks (range, 4-20). Fourteen eyes (74%) had significant improvement in inflammation, 4-7 weeks post-OFCI, with a median of 4 weeks. Anterior uveitis was treated effectively in all eyes, vitritis resolved in all but one case and resolution of cystoid macular oedema was achieved in six eyes (55%). Uveitis relapsed in seven eyes (50%) after a median time of 4 months (range, 2-5 months). Four eyes (21%) underwent more than one injection. The dosage of immunosuppressive systemic therapy was reduced or able to be stopped in three patients (50%). Steroid-induced cataract was observed in four eyes (21%), 5 months post-OFCI. One patient developed cushingoid features 6 weeks post his second OFCI.

Conclusion: Corticosteroid orbital floor injections resulted in control of active uveitis and visual acuity improvement in most children. However, the effect might be transient and induce cataract formation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cataract / chemically induced
  • Cataract Extraction
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraocular
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
  • Methylprednisolone / analogs & derivatives
  • Methylprednisolone Acetate
  • Orbit
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / administration & dosage
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / adverse effects
  • Uveitis / drug therapy*
  • Uveitis / physiopathology
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Methylprednisolone Acetate
  • Dexamethasone
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide
  • Methylprednisolone