The Effect of an Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for Refractory Posterior Scleritis

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#To report the effect of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant on refractory posterior scleritis. @*Methods@#The medical records of patients treated with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant for non-infectious refractory posterior scleritis were retrospectively reviewed, including age, sex, duration of follow-up, and presence of associated systemic diseases. The duration until relapse, changes in visual acuity, number of implants, and side effects associated with the implant were also analyzed. @*Results@#Seven eyes from five patients were included. The mean age was 73.2 ± 12.5 years (59-92 years). Although all patients had been treated with high-dose systemic steroid, and immunosuppressants were added, the posterior scleritis was poorly controlled. The duration from the diagnosis to the first dexamethasone implant was a mean of 8.2 months (3-27 months). The scleritis was well controlled in all eyes until at least 2 months (2-5 months) after inserting the implant. An average of 2.1 (total of 15 times in the seven eyes) implants were inserted. No complications related to the implant were observed other than a temporary increase in intraocular pressure in one eye. @*Conclusions@#Intravitreal dexamethasone implants were an effective treatment option for refractory posterior scleritis.