Methotrexate for the treatment of noninfectious scleritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess corticosteroid-sparing and inflammation control in patients with noninfectious scleritis treated with methotrexate.

DESIGN: Retrospective review.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients who received methotrexate treatment for noninfectious scleritis and who had 12 months of follow-up after treatment initiation were included in this review.

METHODS: The clinical records of noninfectious scleritis patients presenting at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute between September 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014 treated with methotrexate were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen patients (21 eyes) were included in the study. Main outcome included inflammation control and corticosteroid-sparing success. Secondary outcomes were reduction of immunosuppression load and best-corrected visual acuity.

RESULTS: The proportion of eyes with corticosteroid-sparing success was 69.2% at 3 months and 92.3% at 12 months. The proportion of eyes that achieved inflammation control was 61.9% at 3 months and 90.5% at 12 months. The corticosteroid immunosuppression load at treatment start was 1.9 ± 2.07 and at 12 months was 0.48 ± 1.03 (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in best-corrected visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of noninfectious scleritis with methotrexate appears to be effective at both achieving steroid-sparing success and controlling inflammation during 12 months of therapy. Immunosuppression load decreased significantly over 12 months of therapy while best corrected visual acuity was stable.