Primary Outcome Measures:
- to assess the tolerance, security and effectiveness in the treatment of different intraocular inflammatory disease [ Time Frame: two years ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- To establish the Iontophoresis utility in the drug administration in the treatment of the IID [ Time Frame: two years ]
- To establish the effectiveness of the CCI with Dexamethasone in the IID control [ Time Frame: two years ]
- To establish the security of the Dexamethasone administration with CCI in the treatment of the IID [ Time Frame: two years ]
- To establish the time in which the control of the ocular inflammation is succeed when using the CCI with Dexamethasone. [ Time Frame: two years ]
The multiple properties of the corticosteroids on the inflammatory response, make them a first line election in the treatment of several ocular inflammatory disorders of different etiologies. Within its properties we can mention: the reestablishment of the vascular permeability, decrease of the cellular infiltrated and the exudation of fibrin, alteration of the activity of monocytes and neutrophils, decrease the proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells and diminish the neovascularization post inflammation (1). For that reason, not only they diminish the inflammatory reaction, but they also diminish the formation of permanent scar, that often is responsible for the visual loss (2,3).
The most severe systemic adverse effects of the corticosteroids are: systemic hyperglicemy, the formation of gastric ulcers, avascular necrosis to of the head of the femur, suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis, arterial hypertension among others (21,22). In order to diminish the severe systemic adverse effects of the corticosteroids, the local administration is preferred (4). The subconjunctival injection or topical instillation, reaches effective concentrations in the anterior chamber (5-7) whereas to reach these concentrations in the posterior segment it requires a systemic, intravitreous or periocular administration (8-11). Generally it require multiple injections, which produces patient discomfort. In addition, after periocular administration, just a small fraction of the drug penetrates the eye, whereas the rest is systemically absorbed, reason why the systemic adverse effects are not avoided.
Iontophoresis already has been successful used for the administration of corticosteroids, reaching high and lasting concentrations in both segments of the eye. (12-13). Remaining with effective concentrations up to 40 to 60 hours after the administration (23). But, Because focal chorioretinal injuries have been described, with the use of transcleral Iontophoresis, using current of high densities (14-18), this method has not gain a space in the current clinical practice. It has been previously demonstrated that the Controlled Column Iontophoresis (CCI Eyegate, Optis France SA) was as effective as the intraperitoneal administration of Dexamethasone for the treatment of the anterior and posterior uveitis induced by endotoxins (19). Through control of the electrical parameters and using safer settings, clinical or histopathological injuries due to the use of transcleral CCI have not been observed (20). The results of a pre-clinical study, in which methylprednisolone succinate by means of CCI was administered, demonstrated to be a safe method, reporting high and lasting intraocular concentrations.
In addition, a study in France was elaborated, that included 89 patients with different intraocular inflammatory diseases. Such as corneal graft rejections, previous uveitis, postoperative endophthalmitis, macular edema and inflammations of the posterior segment. For the evaluation of the security and effectiveness of the administration of methylprednisolone by means of CCI. The patients were enlisted if they required periocular or systemic treatment due to the failure of maximal topical therapy. The average of treatment with Iontophoresis was of 2,7 +/- 0,9 (1-5), with an current intensity of 1,2 to 2mA and duration of 2 to 5 minutes of each treatment.
A significant increase of conjunctival hyperemia was observed, subsequent to each CCI, which spontaneous resolved. There were no related adverse Effects. Still more, it was observed an increase of the visual acuity and decrease of the clinical inflammation in this group of patients. No of the patients loss vision and the inflammation biomarkers, taken like a whole, continued improving up to 30 days after the treatment.
Purpose
