Corticosteroid therapy for optic disc neovascularization secondary to chronic uveitis

PURPOSE: To report successful corticosteroid treatment of optic disc neovas cularization associated with uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Nine patients were identified with chronic uveitis and optic disc neovascularization without clinical or angiographic evidence of retinal isc hemia. Ages ranged from 14 to 37 years (median age, 27). All patients were treated with either oral and/or subtenon's corticosteroids, Partial regress ion of the neovascularization was observed in all patients within 2 to 6 we eks (median, 5 weeks) after initiating treatment. Eight of nine patients ha d complete resolution of disc neovascularization at a median of 3 months (r ange, 2 to 42 months) after initiation of treatment and a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 7 to 144 months). Recurrence of disc neovascularizatio n occurred in two patients, but it regressed again after further corticoste roid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Optic disc neovascularization may occur in patients with chron ic uveitis in the absence of retinal ischemia. This neovascularization can be successfully treated with corticosteroids, (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.