Treatment of chronic, noninfectious, nonnecrotizing scleritis with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors

Purpose: To evaluate the use of TNF-alpha inhibitors for non-infectious, non-necrotizing scleritis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with non-infectious, non-necrotizing scleritis treated at our institutions from 2002 to 2012. Results: Seventeen patients (26 eyes) were included. Ten patients were started on infliximab and seven on adalimumab; five patients were treated with both TNF-alpha inhibitors on separate occasions. All patients had an associated autoimmune disease. Control of active inflammation for at least 2 months was achieved in 15 (88%) of 17 patients. Seven out of eight patients successfully tapered concurrent corticosteroid use. Only one patient discontinued TNF-alpha inhibitor use due to an allergic reaction. Conclusions: TNF-alpha inhibitors appear to have a role in managing non-infectious, non-necrotizing scleritis refractory to initial therapy, mainly by reducing inflammation and decreasing concurrent CS use.