Survey of Expert Practice and Perceptions of the Supporting Clinical Evidence for the Management of Uveitis-related Cataract and Cystoid Macular Oedema

Abstract

Purpose: To survey the practice of uveitis experts in the management of uveitic cataract and cystoid macular oedema (CMO).

Methods: A structured questionnaire containing two clinical scenarios was sent to members of the International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG). The questionnaire surveyed both respondents’ current practice and their perception of the supporting clinical evidence.

Results: For uveitic cataract, 70% required a 3-month inflammation-free period before surgery, and 76% gave a prophylactic preoperative systemic corticosteroid. For uveitic CMO, 87% gave corticosteroids, usually orally. Preferred second-line agents were methotrexate (39%), cyclosporin (24%), azathioprine (17%), and mycophenolate (7%). Respondents suggested the evidence underlying their decisions was either absent or relatively weak (levels III or IV), and in most cases personal experience was a factor.

Conclusions: This survey highlights areas of consensus and variation among uveitis experts in managing uveitic cataract and CMO, and emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to establish the best practice.

Keywords::

• cataract
• clinical evidence
• cystoid macular edema
• survey
• uveitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors would like to thank the members of the IUSG who participated in this study.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.