Mycophenolate mofetil in the therapy of uveitic macular edema--long-term results

To assess the long-term efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in uveitic cystoid macular edema (CMO).

Thirty-eight uveitis patients with CMO treated with MMF with a follow-up of at least 5 years were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, 24 patients with CMO that had occurred before initiation of MMF; group B, 14 patients who developed CMO for the first time during MMF.

In group A, a complete remission of CMO without recurrences was observed in 12 of 24 patients (50%, rate: 0.12/patient-year). In group B, CMO occurred in 7 patients (50%) despite standard dosage of MMF, and in 7 patients (50%) during MMF dose reduction.

The results show that MMF is not always sufficiently effective as a long-term treatment for uveitic macular edema. Moreover, in some uveitis patients MMF cannot prevent new development of CMO.