Vitamin E in the treatment of uveitis-associated macular edema.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate whether high-dose alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) could reduce vision loss and retinal thickening associated with uveitis-associated cystoid macular edema. DESIGN: A double-masked, randomized study. METHODS: Uveitis patients with macular edema seen at the NIH were randomized and received either 1600 IU/day of vitamin E or placebo for 4 months. Visual acuity and retinal thickening were collected for the efficacy and the safety of the high dose of vitamin E. RESULTS: Changes in visual acuity and retinal thickening. CONCLUSIONS: Four-month oral supplementation with 1600 IU/d of vitamin E had no apparent effect on uveitis-associated macular edema or visual acuity in this small study.