Partial thickness sclerectomy and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for intractable uveal effusion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a case series of three patients with intractable uveal effusion syndrome (UES), treated with partial thickness sclerectomy and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. METHODS: Three patients with intractable UES were included. All patients underwent intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy to facilitate resolution of uveal effusion. The concentrations of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, TNF and VEGF in aqueous humor were measured. RESULTS: After the last intravitreal injection, all three eyes had total resolution of the chorioretinal detachment or subretinal fluid. One eye experienced improvement in visual acuity. All patients were free from recurrence during the follow-up period. Aqueous IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF concentrations were elevated in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our current data provided the evidence that VEGF was increased in eyes with intractable UES and anti-VEGF therapy was effective, suggesting that partial thickness sclerectomy and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy could be a new choice for intractable UES.