Interferon alpha 2b in the Treatment of Uveitic Cystoid Macular Edema

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of interferon alpha 2b in the treatment of refractory, uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME).Methods: Retrospective chart review of 4 patients attending the uveitis clinic at the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University.Results: All 4 patients had uveitis and refractory CME, resistant to a variety of immunosuppressants. All patients, except one with severe scleral thinning, had tried and failed therapy with locally injected corticosteroids. Treatment with systemic interferon alpha 2b produced dramatic improvement in CME (central macular thickness: 563 to 267 µm, p = .002) and visual acuity (logMAR: +0.81 to +0.45, p = .0004) in all 4 cases. All patients have been able to reduce the interferon dosage, but none has discontinued it completely. All patients had some mild adverse response that did not necessitate stopping therapy.Conclusions: Interferon alpha 2b is an effective option to treat refractory CME secondary to uveitis.