Abstract
To study the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with systemic corticosteroids in acute uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. The outcomes in this group were compared with those of another group of patients with VKH disease who were treated with corticosteroid monotherapy. Nineteen patients (38 eyes) were studied prospectively. Mean follow-up period was 27.011.1 months. Corticosteroid-sparing effect was achieved in all patients. Mean interval between starting treatment and tapering prednisone to 10 mg or less daily was 5.11.2 months. Ten (53%) patients discontinued treatment without relapse of inflammation. Mean time observed off of treatment was 17.311.9 months. Visual acuity of 20/20 was achieved by 38% of the eyes in the corticosteroid group and by 74% in the corticosteroid + MMF group (p<0.001). Recurrent inflammation of 3 times was reduced significantly (p=0.0383) in the corticosteroid + MMF group (3%) as compared to corticosteroid group ( 18%). Development of all complications was significantly higher in the corticosteroid group (43%) compared to the corticosteroid + MMF group (8%) (p<0.001). None of the eyes in the corticosteroid + MMF group developed "sunset glow fundus". [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]