IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS VERSUS VITRECTOMY IN THE THERAPY OF UVEITIS

Manfred Zierhut (Tuebingen)

Especially chronic recurrent uveitis remains an important therapeutical problem. Besides antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, various studies have shown that vitrectomy may be helpful in reduction of the inflammation and the extent of macular edema. Problems of these studies regarding patient selection and follow up time will be discussed. Questions remain regarding indication and time-point of vitrectomy. For intermediate uveitis there is general agreement that vitrectomy is indicated in case of non-succesfull corticosteroid therapy or immunosuppressive treatment. A carefully prepared multicenter study, including only one form of uveitis, e. g. intermediate uveitis with macular edema, may be the only way to find out if vitrectomy leads to better results in the long term compared to immunosuppressive treatment.


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