Infliximab may be a useful adjuvant in the treatment of retinal detachment

A variety of options is available for retinal detachment (RD) repair, including pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling and vitrectomy alone or in combination with a scleral buckle. However, RD-induced photoreceptor degeneration causes permanent loss of visual performance even after successful surgery. The increased expression and release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important cause of photoreceptor degeneration associated with RD. It also plays an important role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) formation. Therefore, we propose that systemic or intravitreal use of infliximab (an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody) in adjunct with standard RD surgery may halt the process of photoreceptor degeneration and prevent PVR formation, which would enhance the anatomic and functional outcome of RD surgery.