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Do you hold rituximab for cataract surgery?

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Rheumatology · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)

I never stop any immunosuppressants for cataract surgery. The reason being, it may help prevent postoperative ocular eye inflammation (e.g. postoperative iritis).

I learned this many years ago when one of my RA patients stopped their methotrexate and had a severe bout of new-onset iritis afterward.

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Rheumatology · University of Colorado School of Medicine

I agree with Dr. @Dr. First Last that most ocular surgeries, and certainly low-risk procedures such as cataract surgery, don't require cessation or alteration of immunosuppressant medications. I've seen some issues with post-op infection following enucleation (I work in our university's Center for O...

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Rheumatology · Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

So far this has not been a problem in my practice. However, based on little data and some concern about peri-infusional solumedrol effects, I try to give rituximab at least 4 weeks before or after cataract surgery. Where possible, I try to avoid peri-infusional steroids.

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