Volume 8 | Issue - 8
Volume 8 | Issue - 8
Volume 8 | Issue - 7
Volume 8 | Issue - 7
Volume 8 | Issue - 6
Background Chronic uveitis is a significant cause of visual impairment worldwide, often leading to complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal damage. Despite advances in treatment, managing chronic uveitis remains challenging due to the need for long-term corticosteroid therapy, which carries substantial risks of side effects. Sustained-release implants have emerged as a promising alternative treatment for chronic uveitis, offering targeted drug delivery with prolonged therapeutic effects. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of sustainedrelease corticosteroid implants in patients with chronic uveitis. Objective This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to assess the effectiveness of sustained-release corticosteroid implants compared to traditional oral corticosteroid therapy in improving clinical outcomes in patients with chronic uveitis, including inflammation control, visual acuity, and quality of life. Methods A total of 200 participants with chronic uveitis were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either a sustained-release corticosteroid implant (n=100) or conventional oral corticosteroids (n=100) at Sugra Shafi Medical Complex, Sahara Medical College Narowal. The primary outcome measure was the change in intraocular inflammation, as measured by flare and cell count on slit-lamp examination. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, adverse events, and patient-reported outcomes related to quality of life. Assessments were performed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-treatment. Results At 12 months, patients in the implant group showed a 45% reduction in intraocular inflammation compared to a 25% reduction in the oral corticosteroid group (p<0.01). Visual acuity improved significantly in the implant group (mean change: +0.2 logMAR) compared to the oral corticosteroid group (mean change: +0.1 logMAR, p<0.05). Furthermore, the implant group experienced fewer complications, including cataract formation and intraocular pressure elevation, compared to the oral corticosteroid group (p<0.05). The quality of life was significantly better in the implant group, as measured by the Uveitis Quality of Life (UQoL) score (p<0.05). Conclusion Sustained-release corticosteroid implants provide superior control of intraocular inflammation, better visual outcomes, and fewer side effects compared to oral corticosteroids in the management of chronic uveitis. These implants represent a promising treatment option for patients with chronic uveitis, offering the advantage of reduced systemic side effects and improved patient compliance.