Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone (DXM) through sub-tenon sustained controllable drug delivery (SSCDD) system in the treatment of severe acute experimental uveitis.
Methods :
Experimental uveitis was induced by a unilateral intravitreal injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra antigen in preimmunized pigmented rabbits. 24 hours after uveitis induction, thirty-two pigmented rabbits were divided into two groups, the rabbits of the treated group received DXM (5mg/ml) through SSCDD system and control rabbits underwent balanced saline solution following SSCDD. Clinical signs of uveitis were assessed by a masked observer who graded corneal haze, anterior chamber cells, flare, vitreous opacity at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 days after treatment. Histopathologic analyses were performed to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration in the cornea, iris and retina on post-treatment days 7 and 14 by light microscopy. Retinal function was evaluated by electroretinography (ERG).
Results :
All signs of experimental uveitis were reduced by sub-tenon sustained controllable delivery of DXM by clinical criteria, The treated group had significantly less inflammation than control group (p＜0.05). Histopathologic examination results showed marked inflammation and tissue disorganization in control rabbits, and ERG were significantly depressed in control eyes compared to treated eyes (p＜0.05).
Conclusions :
Sub-tenon sustained controllable delivery of DXM effectively suppresses ocular inflammation in a rabbit model of uveitis. This method may be useful in the treatment of severe acute uveitis and other ocular inflammation cases.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.