Subconjunctival Rituximab Administration for the Treatment of Scleritis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Scleritis is a sight-threatening inflammation, which is commonly accompanied by severe complications. Aggressive systemic immunosuppressive treatment, which is frequently needed, can be associated with serious complications, and might therefore be (temporarily) contraindicated.

Methods

We report on the outcomes of three patients with severe, active, non-infectious scleritis, refractory or intolerant to systemic treatment, who received subconjunctival rituximab (RTX) injections. A dose of 2.5 to 7.5 mg was administered after topical anesthesia, and follow-up varied from 8 to 10 months.

Results

Subconjunctival RTX showed minimal to no effect on subjective symptoms, clinical features and/or ultrasound images. No serious adverse effects occurred.

Conclusion

Further studies are needed to assess the effect of local administration of RTX in scleritis, but our limited observation is not promising.

KEYWORDS:

• Scleritis
• rituximab
• anti-CD20 therapy
• treatment
• subconjunctival administration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Stichting Lijf en Leven under Grant [number L&L/mon/19-007].