High Dose Intravenous Steroid Therapy for Acute Treatment of Serpiginous Choroiditis

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of high dose intravenous steroid therapy (HDIST) for acute treatment of vision threatening serpiginous choroiditis Methods: Retrospective review of the records of five patients who were treated with HDIST (1 gr of methylprednizolone for three days) in addition to their standard immunosuppressive treatment during acute stage of serpiginous choroiditis. The visual acuities and improvement of ocular signs after HDIST were evaluated. Results: Ten episodes of uveitis in five patients with serpiginous choroiditis were treated in a seven –year period. All patients responded to HDIST with evidence of resolution of inflammation and improvement of visual acuity within 2 weeks of commencing treatment. One patient discontinued the scheme due to gastric distress. During the follow-up three out of five patients had new attacks and one patient lost vision due to the development of subretinal neovascularization. Conclusion: HDIST is effective in controlling severe vision threatening serpiginous choroiditis and in improving visual faction in a short period of time. However the effect of this treatment to long term disease control is uncertain.

Keywords: corticosteroids • chorioretinitis • inflammation