Use of infliximab in the treatment of peripheral ulcerative keratitis in Crohn disease.

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of infliximab in the treatment of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) associated with Crohn disease.

DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series.

SETTING: Institutional, academic referral setting. patient or study population: Six eyes of 3 patients with PUK associated with Crohn disease that failed or were intolerant to traditional immunosuppression such as oral prednisone and cyclophosphamide. INTERVENTION OR OBSERVATION PROCEDURE(S): Infliximab intravenous infusion 5 mg/kg every 2 to 8 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Subjective outcome such as pain improvement and objective outcomes such as visual acuity, signs of inflammation, and progression of corneal thinning.

RESULTS: Symptom of pain improved in all patients. Visual acuity remained stable in 4 of 6 eyes, improved in 1 of 6 eyes, and worsened in 1 of 6 eyes (secondary to stromal scar). Rapid resolution of inflammation and arrest of further thinning were observed in all 6 eyes. Similar effects were observed on recurrence treated with repeat dosing of infliximab in 5 of 6 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab produced a rapid, dramatic, repeatable suppression of corneal inflammation, pain, and keratolysis in PUK associated with Crohn disease. Although the effect of long-term therapy with these agents is unknown, infliximab should be considered in patients with Crohn-associated PUK not amenable to traditional therapy. Larger prospective studies are needed to determine the efficacy of infliximab in this aggressive disease entity.