Combined orbital floor betamethasone and depot methylprednisolone in uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of orbital floor injection of betamethasone and methylprednisolone in the management of uveitis, with particular reference to its efficacy in avoiding increase in systemic immunosuppressive drugs.

METHODS: A sample of all patients attending the Uveitis Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital was carried out over a three-month period. All patients who had received one or more orbital floor injections of betamethasone (4 mg) and methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrone; 40 mg) in the management of their uveitis were identified and the case notes reviewed.

RESULTS: A total of 48 patients who had received 75 orbital floor injections were identified during the sample period. Most patients had either panuveitis (n = 24) or pars planitis (n = 14). One-month post-injection visual acuity (VA) had improved by at least one Snellen line after 33/75 injections (44%) and at least two lines after 11/75 (15%), was unchanged after 25 (33%), but had deteriorated in 14 (19%). VA was not recorded after 3/75 injections. The only complications recorded were periorbital haemorrhage (n = 1) and complaints of persistent pain after an injection (n = 1). Symptoms (pain and subjective vision) improved after 36/75 injections (47%), were unchanged after 24 (32%), and were reported as worse after five (7%). Additionally, three patients reported an improvement in symptoms which lasted less than one month. Signs other than VA were improved after 28/75 (37%), were unchanged after 38 (51%), and deteriorated after only one injection. Of the 31 patients given orbital floor injections to avoid systemic therapy, seven (23%) subsequently went on to require it, and the clinical course then improved in 45%.

CONCLUSIONS: Combined orbital floor injection of betamethasone and methylprednisolone can result in improved visual acuity, symptoms, and signs of inflammation in uveitis, and may therefore avoid the necessity for increased systemic medication.