Effects of anti-TNF therapy on ophtalmological complications in children with rheumatic diseases

Results Among 54 children treated with anti-TNF therapy at our Division during 2009. – 2013. period, 10 were detected with ophtalmologycal complications (8 girls, 2 boys), 8 with JIA, 1 with JDM and 1 with sarcoidosis. Nine patients had chronic uveitis (JIA, sarcoidosis) and 1 had ...cotton wool“ retinal lesions accompanied with bilateral papilar oedema (JDM). Avarage time between the begining of disease and start of anti-TNF therapy was 2.9 years (28 days – 9 years). Initial anti-TNF therapy was adalimumab in 5 cases (4 JIA, 1 sarcoidosis), etanercept in 4 cases (JIA) and infliximab in 1 case (JDM). During therapy, etanercept was changed to adalimumab in 2 cases, due to inefficacy on uveitis. Adalimumab was partially effective in 1 case (sarcoidosis). Infliximab, applied in patient with JDM and ...cotton wool“ retinal lesions accompanied with bilateral papilar oedema, led to fast and complete recovery of eye changes and other aspects of the disease.