Intravenous immunoglobulin in recurrent-relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE

Recurrent-relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy, including chronic relapsing inflammatory and autoimmune optic neuropathies, is rare, but can cause severe visual loss. Long-term steroids may preserve vision, yet side effects are frequent. We describe our experience with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg).

DESIGN

A semi-prospective case series from 4 medical centres.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with steroid responsive recurrent-relapsing optic neuropathy.

METHODS

Semiprospective case series of IVIg treatment in steroid-responsive recurrent-relapsing optic neuropathy at 4 medical centres. Outcome measures included visual outcome; time to, and duration of, remission; duration of corticosteroid use; and adverse events.

RESULTS

Vision stabilized in all 6 patients treated with IVIg without steroids for extended periods of time. None improved and none worsened. One adverse event occurred during an IVIg infusion after 3 uneventful years of IVIg maintenance. Average steroid use prior to IVIg was 12 months. After IVIg treatment, 5/6 patients no longer required corticosteroids. Two patients experienced late relapses on IVIg, one of whom was treated with cyclosporine, the other with steroids.

CONCLUSIONS

IVIg can be considered an effective steroid-sparing agent in selected cases with steroid-dependent recurrent-relapsing autoimmune optic neuropathy.