Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (Etanercept): experience as a therapy for sight-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.

Purpose: To review the efficacy of Etanercept as an alternate therapy for treatment of necrotizing anterior scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration unresponsive to traditional therapies.

Methods: A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with Etanercept for vision-threatening scleritis and sterile corneal ulceration.

Results: Etanercept alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies controlled inflammation, arrested tissue ulceration, and in many cases permitted tapering or cessation of toxic immunosuppressive therapies.