The Use of Remicade (Infliximab) in the Management of Vision-threatening Uveitis That is Refractory to Other Modes of Systemic Immunosuppression
Inclusion Criteria:
1. The study group will include patients suffering from treatment-resistant
vision-threatening uveitis who attend the Uveitis Clinic at Casey Eye Institute.
2. We plan to enroll 32 patients.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Patients with ocular or systemic infection.
2. Patients with the subtype of uveitis termed pars planitis who have MRI scan evidence
of demyelination. There is a theoretical risk of adverse outcome of TNF-alpha
inhibition on the clinical course of multiple sclerosis. Patients who suffer from
pars planitis are at increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
3. Children under the age of 9.
4. Patients with known sensitivity to mouse proteins. Remicade is a chimeric protein
with human and murine components.
5. Patients with history of cancer (exception- skin cancers which are curatively
resected), organ transplantation (exception- cornea), recent drug or alcohol
addiction, or inability to keep appointments.
6. Patients with other serious systemic diseases that could interfere with participation
in the study.
7. It is specifically noted that pregnant women and nursing mothers will be excluded
from this study.