Pediatric Posterior Infectious Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To describe the most important cause of infectious posterior uveitis in pediatric patients. METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: The most important causes of infectious uveitis in pediatric patients are: cat-scratch disease, toxocariasis, tuberculosis, viral diseases and toxoplasmosis. Ocular manifestations include retinitis, neuroretinitis, choroidal granulomas, peripheral granulomas and posterior pole granulomas. CONCLUSION: Infectious posterior uveitis is a challenging subject and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any posterior uveitis in children. Infectious uveitis must be excluded before initiating immunosuppressive therapy.

[Intermediate and Posterior Uveitis - Classification, diagnostics, complications, and therapeutic algorithms]. / Intermediäre und posteriore Uveitis ­ Teil 1.

Intermediate and posterior uveitis describes a broad variety of different types of intraocular inflammation. Before starting treatment of intermediate or posterior uveitis, a differentiation between infectious or non-infectious uveitis must always be made. Pathognomonic symptoms do not exist, visual loss and vitreous floaters are the most common symptoms. The indication for therapy is influenced by the anatomical localization, the degree of inflammation, an association, complications and the activity of the inflammation. In addition to clinical ophthalmological standard examination, angiography and OCT are the most important investigations to classify and assess the course of inflammation. Macular edema is the most common complication of intermediate or posterior uveitis and should be treated at first onset, recurrence, or worsening. Oral, intravenous, or intravitreal corticosteroids are usually the primary therapy for intermediate or posterior uveitis. Systemic immunosuppression is indicated after steroid failure in non-infectious uveitis.

Fluocinolone acetonide 0.19-mg implant for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis with involvement of the posterior segment: a real-world study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant (FAi) for preventing inflammatory relapses in noninfectious uveitis with posterior segment involvement in standard clinical practice. Further, to assess the value of remission induction therapy with intraocular and periorbital administered high-dose corticosteroids before FAi. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center specialized in uveitis management. The primary study outcomes were the best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) within a 12-month observation period. The secondary outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP) and intraocular inflammation. The main safety measures were IOP increase and cataract formation. RESULTS: In total, 76 eyes of 57 patients received FAi. Locally administered high-dose corticosteroids were applied in 68.4% of all eyes before FAi. BCVA remained stable within the 12-month observation period (63.21 vs. 62.95, difference 0.26 letters; 95% CI: - 6.31 to 6.84; p > 0.9). Significant CRT reduction upon FAi was sustained after 12 months (362.7 vs. 309.1 µm, difference 53.57 µm; 95% CI: 1.55 to 105.6; p = 0.04). Intraocular inflammation was reduced until 9 months of follow-up (0.82 vs. 0.3, difference 0.53; 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.95; p = 0.007). A mean IOP increase (13.68 vs. 15.6; difference - 1.92; 95% CI: - 3.85 to 0.004; p = 0.0507) and cataract development (20% of all phakic eyes) were noted. CONCLUSION: We observed similar levels of FAi effectiveness for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis in standard clinical practice compared to previous randomized clinical trials. Moreover, remission induction therapy before FAi can benefit patients with increased baseline uveitis activity.

Ocular Toxoplasmosis.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide, affecting individuals acrossdifferent age groups. The key to reducing vision loss includes prompt diagnosis and treatment. However, despite the prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis, there has been little consensus regarding its pathophysiology,clinical features, diagnosis, and especially management. METHODS: The data sources were literature reviews, including Pub Med and Medline databases. Search terms included toxoplasmosis, retinitis, vasculitis, vitritis, uveitis alone or in combination with, serum, aqueous, vitreous eye, ocular and review. RESULTS: In this review paper, we have sought to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical features of the disease, both based on current literature and our own clinical experience. We have also discussed the use of serology, ocular fluid, and ophthalmic investigations that could further facilitate the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.Different management strategies have been reported worldwide, including newer approaches such as local therapy. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of critical aspects of ocular toxoplasmosis will hopefully lead to reduced morbidity, including blindness associated with this condition.

Recurrence of tubercular choroiditis following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

PURPOSE: To report recurrence of tubercular choroiditis following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in two patients with quiescent disease activity for more than a year. METHODS: Retrospective observational case reports. RESULTS: Two patients (one female and one male) under follow-up for posterior uveitis having stable course with absence of ocular inflammation for more than a year presented with recurrence of choroiditis lesions 2-6 weeks following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Both the patients were managed with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) and showed resolution of choroiditis lesions upon follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Acute onset recurrence of inflammation, in absence of any change in health status or treatment suggests the potential role of vaccination being the trigger of this reactivation. Given large-scale vaccination against novel coronavirus- SARS-CoV-2, careful vigilance is warranted to pick up the disease recurrence in patients with posterior uveitis.

Single Low-dose Suprachoroidal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection in Macular Edema Secondary to Noninfectious Posterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to study the anatomical and functional outcome following single low-dose suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (LD-SCTA) (2 mg) injection in noninfectious posterior uveitis. METHODS: Eleven patients with macular edema (ME) more than 280 µ secondary to noninfectious uveitis were included in the study. A single LD-SCTA (0.5 ml) injection was performed in the study eye with the help of a novel suprachoroidal microneedle (Pricon, Iscon Surgicals, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India). The study parameters were noted at 4 and 12 weeks post LD-SCTA injection. RESULTS: Ten of 11 patients had a significant decrease in central macular thickness (CMT). The mean CMT measurement at baseline was 513.6 ± 191.73 µm for the 10 patients who responded to the treatment, which reduced significantly to 265.1 ± 34.72 µm (P < 0.003) and 260.6 ± 34.72 µm (P < 0.002) at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline was 0.84 ± 0.41 logMAR unit which improved to 0.52 ± 0.33 (P < 0.001) and 0.25 ± 0.22 (P < 0.000) at weeks 4 and 12, respectively. The mean intraocular pressure at baseline recorded was 16.36 ± 2.97 mmHg, 19.45 ± 4.80 mmHg (P = 0.06) at 4 weeks, and 17.27 ± 2.53 mmHg (P = 0.35) at 12 weeks. One eye which did not respond to LD-SCTA was a case of recurrent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. CONCLUSION: Single LD-SCTA injection is efficacious in reducing CMT in ME, improving BCVA, and controlling the inflammation in noninfectious posterior uveitis. LD-SCTA can be used as a first-line therapy in noninfectious uveitis over other routes of steroid administration with a favorable outcome and safety profile.

Anterior and posterior uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis -case report.

Anterior uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation in children diagnosed with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It is typically a non-granulomatous, chronic, and asymptomatic uveitis. The lack of acute symptoms often delays the diagnosis with the incidence of severe ocular complications. Chorioretinitis lesions have been described in only 1% of cases. The absence of fundus changes can be explained by the impossibility of performing fundoscopy through the cloudy ocular media, secondary to inflammation. A 7-year-old female with a 3-month history of painless reduced vision came to have an eye examination. An initial diagnosis of bilateral anterior granulomatous uveitis complicated with glaucoma and cataract was formulated. Because of the concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19 disease (same day as the eye examination), the child was hospitalized in a hometown COVID-19 patient ward, so both local and general treatment, monitorization, and investigations were discontinued. The following eye examination revealed the persistence of anterior uveitis, inflammatory glaucoma, cataract, and the appearance of band keratopathy. Fundoscopy revealed numerous disseminated lesions of choroiditis. Further examinations established JIA-associated uveitis diagnosis, so systemic corticosteroids were initiated followed by Methotrexate and Adalimumab. Monitoring with fundoscopy in a patient diagnosed with JIA-U is necessary to detect possible chorioretinal or vascular damage. Abbreviations: BVA = best visual acuity, CVA = corrected visual acuity, CS = corticosteroids, IOP = Intraocular pressure, JIA = Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA-U = Juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis, LE = left eye, MTX = Methotrexate, OU = both eyes, OCT = Optical Coherence Tomography, RE = right eye, TNF = tumor necrosis factor.

Long-term efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal implant in the treatment of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease relapsing posterior uveitis.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone intravitreal implant in the treatment of relapsing posterior uveitis in patients with chronic recurrent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. Methods: This was a prospective study of 29 eyes of 16 patients with posterior uveitis in chronic recurrent VKH disease. All patients received previous systemic steroid and immunosuppressive regimens. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All patients underwent intravitreal injection with sustained-release dexamethasone 0.7 mg implant (Ozurdex®). Primary outcome measures included mean change in BCVA and central foveal thickness (CFT) at 24 months of follow-up compared to the baseline. Results: At 24 month of follow-up, the mean BCVA improved from 0.82 ± 0.13 to 0.38 ± 0.06 logMAR (P < 0.0001). The mean CFT reduced from 505 ± 29 to 244 ± 23 um (P < 0.0001). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) changed from 15.1 ± 2.2 to 16.9 ± 3.1 mmHg with no significant value (P-value = 0.0955). Twenty-one eyes (72.4%) received one injection, whereas eight eyes (27.6%) required two injections. The mean number of injections was 1.2 ± 0.60. The mean follow-up time was 24.75 ± 0.9 months. No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were noted during the follow-up period. Ocular hypertension was recorded in three (10.3%) eyes and controlled by IOP lowering medications. Cataract progression occurred in 11 (37.9%) eyes. Conclusion: Our cohort highlights the beneficial effects of the dexamethasone implant of 0.7 mg in the treatment of VKH disease relapsing posterior uveitis improving visual acuity, reducing macular edema, and minimizing the burden of systemic steroids in this sample study.

Various clinical presentations of uveitis associated with durvalumab treatment.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are becoming increasingly common in treating several cancer types. Durvalumab is a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-L1 binding to PD-1 and CD80 and has recently been approved for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and locally advanced unresectable (NSCLC). The present review aimed to analyse immune-mediated uveitis, secondary to durvalumab treatment, through a review of the literature and a presentation of two clinical cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A literature review using PubMed search was conducted to identify cases of uveitis secondary to durvalumab and cases of uveitis with optic disc oedema secondary to ICI use that were reported prior to November 14, 2021. Additionally, we report two cases of uveitis consequent on durvalumab treatment. RESULTS: Five cases of uveitis secondary to durvalumab use were identified in the literature. Anterior, posterior uveitis and vasculitis were reported. Additionally, we present a case of bilateral intermediate uveitis with bilateral optic disc oedema and a case of bilateral posterior uveitis. Our further search revealed 12 cases of uveitis with optic disc oedema secondary to ICI use, with the majority of cases reported secondary to PD-1 inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Rarely reported, uveitis secondary to durvalumab can present various clinical pictures and requires a thorough diagnostic workup. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment, commonly with a local or systemic corticosteroid, should be adapted to the severity of the inflammation.

Effectiveness of the Dexamethasone Implant in Lieu of Oral Corticosteroids in Intermediate and Posterior Uveitis Requiring Immunosuppression.

PURPOSE: To evaluate dexamethasone intravitreal implant effectiveness in lieu of high-dose oral prednisone for short-term treatment of noninfectious intermediate and posterior uveitis in patients requiring immunosuppression. METHODS: This is a proof-of-concept, open-label, non-comparative clinical trial with 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome was uveitis control without additional prednisone at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes were need for multiple implants or additional prednisone, and safety data. RESULTS: 20 patients (28 eyes) were enrolled- 16 eyes had control by 6 months; 20 by 12 months. No patients required high-dose prednisone. 6 patients enrolled on prednisone: 2 stopped; 4 tapered to 7.5 mg daily or less by 12 months. 16 eyes required multiple implants; five required cataract surgery; 12 required drops to control IOP; 2 underwent glaucoma surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The dexamethasone implant was effective in lieu of high-dose prednisone although the majority required multiple implants. All patients decreased or discontinued prednisone during follow-up.

Ciclosporin A in bilateral auto-immune chronic posterior uveitis associated with macular oedema: a Long-term Observational Safety and Efficacy Study.

OBJECTIVE: A non-interventional, longitudinal, retrospective follow-up study to assess CsA-induced nephrotoxicity (IN) and its reversibility after withdrawal in patients exhibiting a bilateral chronic posterior uveitis (CPU) associated with cystoid macular oedema (CMO) in at least one eye. Data from medical records between 1986 and 2013. METHODS: Primary outcome was the renal tolerance during and after CsA treatment assessed by plasma creatinine concentration and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-Epi) formula. Secondary outcomes were CsA through concentration, occurrence of cancers and ophthalmologic efficacy assessed by three parameters including CMO, vitreous inflammation, and best-corrected visual acuity BVCA changes. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three patients were followed for renal tolerance. Underlying diseases were Birdshot retinochoroiditis (n = 67), Behçet disease (n = 9), probable sarcoidosis (n = 23), sympathetic ophthalmia (n = 3), idiopathic (n = 41). After CsA discontinuation in 115 patients (mean treatment duration of 5.9 ± 3.8 years) mean plasma creatinine concentration was 82.2 ± 14.2 µmol/L versus 82.1 ± 14.1 µmol/L at baseline, mean GFR was 79.4 ± 13.9 mL/min versus 82.5 ± 14.3 mL/min at baseline, with no significant difference (respectively p = 0.91 and p = 0.09). Blood pressure did not significantly change during follow-up. CMO was completely resorbed in at least one eye, in 70.8% patients (n = 72) at 6 months, in 71.4% patients (n = 49) at 10 years and in 54.2% patients (n = 24) at 20 years. BCVA did not statistically change over time. CONCLUSION: Early and long-term monitoring of renal tolerance and dual adjustment of CsA doses in inflammatory stages of CPU were associated with reversible CsA IN. CsA could be effective in the treatment of CMO in CPU patients.

Posterior Uveitis Associated with Large Vessel Giant Cell Arteritis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute unilateral posterior uveitis as a rare manifestation of giant cell arteritis (GCA). OBSERVATION: A 62-year-old male presented to the clinic for evaluation of decreased vision in the right eye (OD). BCVA in OD was 20/60, and fundus examination revealed 3+ vitreous cells along with several inflammatory precipitates located in posterior vitreous and on surface of retina. Although TAB was inconclusive for GCA, the clinical diagnosis of GCA was made according to the GCA diagnostic criteria. This diagnosis was further supported by 18FDG-PET scan. The patient was started on corticosteroids, and the symptoms improved significantly after first week of treatment. At follow-up visit one month and half later, BCVA improved to 20/40 in the right eye. CONCLUSION: Although GCA is rarely present with uveitis, in case of unilateral posterior uveitis in elderly patient, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Posterior Uveitis Associated with Cemiplimab.

PURPOSE: The immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) comprise a class of oncologic immunotherapies. The most recent US Food and Drug Administration-approved ICPI is cemiplimab (Libtayo®). Cemiplimab, like the other ICPIs, blocks checkpoint receptors in order to disinhibit T-cells so that they may detect and eliminate tumor cells. Consequently, treatment with ICPIs is associated with immune-related adverse events including uveitis. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 63-year-old man with a history of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma developed blurry vision 3 months after starting treatment with cemiplimab. The patient was found to have posterior uveitis with retinal vasculitis that was successfully controlled with discontinuation of the medication as well as treatment with local and systemic steroids. CONCLUSION: Similar to other ICPIs, uveitis may be associated with cemiplimab. In the setting of posterior uveitis, treatment may require cessation of cemiplimab and intensive steroid treatment.

IOP Elevation in Patients Treated With Fluocinolone Acetonide Insert for Chronic Noninfectious Uveitis Affecting the Posterior Segment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Characterize timing of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in patients treated with fluocinolone acetonide insert (FAi) for uveitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A post-hoc subset analysis of data from a randomized, prospective, double-masked, sham-controlled, 3-year, phase 3 clinical trial with 129 participants with noninfectious posterior uveitis randomly assigned to receive 0.18-mg fluocinolone acetonide insert or sham injection. The number of eyes with IOP of 30 mm Hg or greater at different time points were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of FAi eyes that reached IOP 30 mm Hg or greater was 17.2%. The mean number of days to first IOP response was 241. IOP elevations were divided into four time periods: under 1 month (33%), 3 to 6 months (33%), 6 to 18 months (26.7%), and greater than 18 months (6.7%). Ten cases of elevated IOP were managed medically and five required surgical management. Visual field analysis revealed no significant change in mean deviation compared to patients' own, untreated eyes (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: IOP elevations occurred in 15 out of 87 patients treated with the FAi. The onset of elevated IOP was fairly evenly distributed across the 36-month trial. Patients should be regularly evaluated for increased IOP, which can be successfully managed by traditional means. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:387-390.].

Differentiation of Features of Inflammatory Neovascular Membrane Versus Active Posterior Uveitis by SS-OCTA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Neovascularization is a sight-threatening, uncommon complication of posterior uveitis that often goes undetected until persistent clinical findings appear, or in light of treatment failure. This could be attributed to the relative similarity of activity signs in inflammatory neovascular membranes (NVM) and active posterior uveitis. The purpose of the present study is to recognize imaging features that distinguish uveitic neovascularization from active uveitis using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Patients with posterior uveitis with visual acuity (VA) decrease and at least one of the following findings were assessed by SS-OCTA: retinal thickening, subretinal or intraretinal fluid, and retinal hyperreflective areas. The change of VA and imaging features after treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy were analyzed in cases with inflammatory NVM. RESULTS: Forty-five eyes of 40 patients were evaluated. Twenty-four eyes (53.3%) showed signs of activity, of which eight (33.3%) presented inflammatory NVM. Imaging features that differentiate inflammatory neovascularization from active posterior uveitis included: vitreous cellularity (P = .003), outer retinal infiltration (P = .08), choroidal thickness (P = .003), posterior shadowing (P = .013), subretinal fluid (P = .04), and neovascular network (P ≤ .001). According to NVM characteristics by OCTA, multiple anastomoses and peripheral arcades were visualized at baseline in 85.7% of cases. Mean pre-operative best-corrected VA of inflammatory NVM was 20/150 (logMAR: 0.88 ± 0.60) with significant improvement to 20/40 (logMAR: 0.32 ± 0.22) after anti-VEGF treatment (P = .027). CONCLUSIONS: SS-OCTA achieves the distinction of inflammatory NVM from active posterior uveitis through specific imaging features. Inflammatory neovascularization presents a suitable response after anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:129-137.].

New pharmacotherapy options for noninfectious posterior uveitis.

INTRODUCTION: Noninfectious inflammation of the posterior eye segment represents an important cause of visual impairment. It often affects relatively young people and causes a significant personal and social impact. Although steroids and nonbiologic- Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (nbDMARDs) are effective both in acute and long- lasting diseases, however they are increasingly being replaced by biologic (DMARDs). bDMARD. This article therefore aims to identify recent advances in the therapy of noninfectious posterior segment uveitis. METHODS: A Medline-search was conducted using the terms: nbDMARD, bDMARD, posterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, treatment, corticosteroid. In addition, clinical studies were included as registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS: Currently two major lines of treatments can be identified: (1) the intraocular application of anti-inflammatory agents and (2) the introduction of new agents, e.g., (bDMARDs) and small-molecule-inhibitors. Whereas intravitreal treatments have the advantage to avoid systemic side effects, new systemic agents are progressively earning credit on the basis of their therapeutic effects. CONCLUSION: Even when current treatment strategies are still hampered by the limited number of randomized controlled trials, promising progress and continuous efforts are seen.

Clinical manifestations and visual outcomes associated with ocular toxoplasmosis in a Brazilian population.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. We conducted an observational study of 262 consecutive individuals (n = 344 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis who were followed over a 34-month period. Most subjects were T. gondii IgG + /IgM- (n = 242; 92.4%; 317 eyes), and 140 eyes (40.7%) had active lesions. For eyes in which retinal lesions were active at recruitment and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) could be measured (n = 133), 21.0% (n = 28) remained blind (BCVA below 20/400) after inflammation resolved. In these eyes, atypical ocular toxoplasmosis (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.14-22.85; p = 0.0330), macular lesion (OR 9.95; 95% CI 2.45-47.15; p = 0.0019) and any complication (OR 10.26; 95% CI 3.82-30.67; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. For eyes with only inactive lesions at recruitment and BCVA measured (n = 178), 28.1% (n = 50) were blind. In these eyes, having at least one lesion larger than one disc-diameter (OR 6.30; 95% CI 2.28-22.46; p = 0.0013) and macular lesion (OR 5.69; 95% CI 2.53-13.54; p < 0.0001) were associated with BCVA below 20/200. Older age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.05; p = 0.0493) and active disease at presentation (OR 4.74; 95% CI 1.95-12.91; p = 0.0011) were associated with recurrences. Additional clinical attention should be directed towards patients with risk factors for poor visual outcome.

MONTHLY INTRAVITREAL INFLIXIMAB IN BEHÇET'S DISEASE ACTIVE POSTERIOR UVEITIS: A Long-Term Safety Study.

PURPOSE: To study the safety of extended monthly intravitreal infliximab injections in patients with active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease. METHODS: This is a prospective, interventional, noncomparative, open-label, pilot study of 9 monthly intravitreal infliximab injections (1 mg/0.05 mL) for 22 eyes of 16 patients with active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease. Control of inflammation and visual outcomes were assessed, and ocular complications were monitored during the study period. RESULTS: Successful treatment was achieved in 7 eyes (35%), and failure was encountered in 13 eyes (65%). Only seven eyes of six patients (35%) had completed the study and achieved complete resolution of inflammation with improved best-corrected visual acuity and no complications. Failure was either because of inability to control the inflammation in nine eyes (45%) or development of exacerbation of inflammation in four eyes (20%). Four eyes developed severe immunological reaction from the drug after first (n = 1), second (n = 2), and third (n = 1) injections and had to discontinue the injections. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the mean estimated time to failure was 3.3 ± 0.2 months, and all failed eyes required revision of their systemic immunotherapy to control the ocular inflammation. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal infliximab for active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease was associated with a high complication rate and failure to control inflammation in most eyes. It should not be considered a substitute to systemic therapy.

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Adalimumab in Patients with Noninfectious Intermediate Uveitis, Posterior Uveitis, or Panuveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of extended treatment with adalimumab in patients with noninfectious intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis. DESIGN: Open-label, multicenter, phase 3 extension study (VISUAL III). PARTICIPANTS: Adults who had completed a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 parent trial (VISUAL I or II) without treatment failure (inactive uveitis) or who discontinued the study after meeting treatment failure criteria (active uveitis). METHODS: Patients received subcutaneous adalimumab 40 mg every other week. Data were collected for ≤ 362 weeks. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded until 70 days after the last dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Long-term safety and quiescence; other efficacy variables included inflammatory lesions, anterior chamber cell and vitreous haze grade, macular edema, visual acuity, and dose of uveitis-related systemic corticosteroids. RESULTS: At study entry, 67% of patients (283/424) showed active uveitis and 33% (141/424) showed inactive uveitis; 60 patients subsequently met exclusion criteria, and 364 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Efficacy variables were analyzed through week 150, when approximately 50% of patients (214/424) remained in the study. Patients showing quiescence increased from 34% (122/364) at week 0 to 85% (153/180) at week 150. Corticosteroid-free quiescence was achieved by 54% (66/123) and 89% (51/57) of patients with active or inactive uveitis at study entry. Mean daily dose of systemic corticosteroids was reduced from 9.4 ± 17.1 mg/day at week 0 (n = 359) to 1.5 ± 3.9 mg/day at week 150 (n = 181). The percentage of patients who achieved other efficacy variables increased over time for those with active uveitis at study entry and was maintained for those with inactive uveitis. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent AEs of special interest were infections (n = 275; 79 events/100 patient-years [PY]); AEs and serious AEs occurred at a rate of 396 events/100 PY and 15 events/100 PY, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with adalimumab led to quiescence and reduced corticosteroid use for patients who entered VISUAL III with active uveitis and led to maintenance of quiescence for those with inactive uveitis. AEs were comparable with those reported in the parent trials and consistent with the known safety profile of adalimumab.