Registry-based observational prospective study aimed at describing the use of
biologic drugs in pediatric-onset
scleritis. Data were collected at baseline, at 3-, 6-, 12-month follow-up and at last assessment. Scleral
inflammation was graded according to Sen classification. Five patients (9 eyes) treated with
adalimumab,
infliximab,
abatacept and
secukinumab were included. All patients were previously treated with conventional immunosuppressors and
glucocorticoids. Median
biologic treatment duration was 28 (IQR = 118) months. At 6-months,
scleritis resolved in all eyes. At 12-months, complete disease control was observed in 7/9 eyes (77.8%). The number of relapses 12 months before and
after treatment initiation was 17 and 2, respectively. Mean BCVA was 0.83 (range 0.3-1.0) at baseline and 1.0 for all eyes after 12 months.
Glucocorticoids had been withdrawn in 4/5 patients.In conclusion,
biological agents proved to be effective in pediatric-onset
scleritis, allowing a noticeable
steroid-sparing effect and preserving visual function and bulbar integrity.