Local Use of Dexamethasone in the Treatment of Ocular Myasthenia Gravis
Abstract Background At present, patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) are typically treated with systemic drugs. We investigated the use of dexamethasone injected in the peribulbar region or extraocular muscle to treat patients with OMG. Methods Patients with OMG were given dexamethasone via peribulbar injection or direct injection into the main paralyzed extraocular muscles, once a week, for 4-6 weeks. The severity of diplopia, blepharoptosis, eye position, and eye movement were evaluated before and after treatment. The duration of follow-up time was ≥6 months. Results Among the 14 patients with OMG who received this treatment, mean age was 38.7 ± 29.7 years. After treatment, symptoms had resolved in 12 patients; symptoms had improved in 1 patient; treatment had failed in 1 patient. Two of the 12 patients in whom symptoms had resolved experienced symptom recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusions Dexamethasone peribulbar or extraocular muscle injection is effective in the treatment of patients with OMG and may replace systemic drug therapy