Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone in the treatment of uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in the treatment of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Uveitis is an unusual manifestation of MS that may be severe, chronic and require systemic immunosuppression therapy. High-dose IVMP has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory eye disease and MS. Eight episodes of uveitis in five patients with MS were treated over a 10-year period in an open, uncontrolled trial. Two patients had chronic anterior uveitis, one patient had bilateral panuveitis and two patients had intermediate uveitis. Results: All patients responded to IVMP with evidence of a decrease in intraocular inflammatory activity and improved visual acuity (VA) within 2 weeks of commencing treatment. There were no severe ocular or systemic steroid side effects. Conclusions: Intravenous methylprednisolone is an effective, well-tolerated form of therapy for uveitis in patients with MS.