Efficacy of topical immunotherapy in the management of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN)– A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the efficacy of topical immunotherapy with Interferon α 2b [INF- α 2b] drops with a concentration of 3 million international units per millilitre (3 MIU/ml), in the treatment of noninvasive Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN).Methods:A retrospective case record-based study of patients with noninvasive OSSN, who were treated with INF- α 2b drops (3 MIU/ml) during the period from January 2016 to January 2020 at a tertiary care centre in South India. The demographic details, clinical findings, slit lamp photographs, investigations, histopathological records, clinical course, mean duration of clinical and cytological resolution, any evidence of intolerance to treatment, failure to treatment, and recurrences were analysed.Results:Fourteen eyes of 12 patients were studied. The majority of patients were male (83%) and aged more than 50 years (83%). 64.28% of cases became disease free clinically and histopathologically in 3 months. 21.4% of cases showed partial resolution.Conclusion:Topical immunotherapy is an effective mode of treatment for noninvasive OSSN. The 3 MIU/mL dose of topical IFN-α2b drops helped in faster resolution. No recurrences were reported. No severe surface toxicity or intolerance was observed.