Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Management of severe and refractory Mooren's ulcers with rituximab.

PURPOSE: Management of severe and refractory Mooren's ulcers is challenging as it encompasses tectonic surgical treatment and aggressive immunosuppressive therapies. Efficacy of rituximab in the management of severe Mooren's ulcers has never been reported.

METHODS: Five patients (six eyes) from the Cornea and External Disorders department at the Rothschild Ophthalmologic Foundation (Paris, France) were treated for severe Mooren's ulcer unresponsive to conventional treatments between 2008 and 2016. Conventional treatment included topical steroid and ciclosporin 2%, high doses of systemic corticosteroids and/or cyclophosphamide and conjunctival resection with amniotic membrane graft. These patients received two infusions of 1000 mg of rituximab at 2 weeks interval. Epithelial healing, inflammation, additional surgery, systemic corticosteroids and rituximab-related side effects were reported.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 46.8 months. Following rituximab treatment, we observed a complete healing of Mooren's ulcer within 2 weeks in all patients. Peripheral lamellar keratoplasty was associated when peripheral corneal perforation occurred (5/6 affected corneas). Systemic corticosteroids had been discontinued in all patients. Two recurrences occurred 13 and 53 months after the first rituximab infusion and where successfully treated with a new infusion. No rituximab-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab was effective in the management of severe Mooren's ulcers and could be an alternative to cyclophosphamide. Additional studies should assess the role of this biotherapy in the management of immunological corneal ulcer.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app