Interferon Alpha for Refractory Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema (Irvine-Gass Syndrome)

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of systemic interferon alpha-2a (IFN) for refractory pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME).

Methods: Retrospective observational study. The primary outcome was the decrease of central retinal thickness (CRT). Secondary endpoints were the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the assessment of IFN-related side effects.

Results: Twenty-four eyes of 20 patients were included. The median CRT was 513 µm (range 220–980 µm) at baseline and decreased to 190 µm (range 140–520 µm) at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Reduction of CRT greater than 100 µm was observed in 22 eyes (92%). The median BCVA (logMAR) increased statistically significant from 0.5 (range 0.2–1.5) at baseline to 0.3 (0–0.8) at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The BCVA improved in 18 eyes (75%) and remained stable in five eyes (21%). No severe treatment-related side effects occurred.

Conclusion: IFN is a very effective agent for treatment of refractory PCME.

Keywords:

• Cataract surgery
• interferon alpha
• Irvine-Gass syndrome
• macular edema
• treatment

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.