Rare retinal complications of bone marrow transplantation (BMT): a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow transplantation retinopathy is a rare condition affecting the posterior pole. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the possible risk factors and clinical features. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19y old male with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was admitted under haematology with pyrexia of unknown origin. At the time of his admission, he reported bilateral and sequential visual impairment for 2 days. On examination, there was bilateral profound retinopathy across the posterior poles. This was symmetrical and with associated macular oedema. Infective aetiology was excluded and cyclosporine was stopped. Although no definitive treatment was initiated the visual acuity improved whilst macular oedema fluctuated. CONCLUSION: BMT and chemotherapy can cause ocular complications but these are usually confined to the anterior segment. Posterior segment complications in the form of retinopathy is very rare. We report this case to highlight some of the clinical features and course of disease.

Treatment of Non-Infectious Posterior Uveitis with Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants in a Real-World Setting.

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety associated to the treatment of patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis with intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implants in a real-world clinical setting. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, single center analysis of the data from 29 patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis in whom 38 eyes were treated with dexamethasone intravitreal implants in routine clinical practice between January 2012 and October 2017. The parameters of visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded 6 weeks after the first implant was administered, in accordance with the clinical guidelines for the use of these implants, and after a 6-month follow-up period. In addition, the formation of cataracts was evaluated at 12 months. Results: Treatment with the DEX implant caused a significant improvement in the VA from baseline at 6 weeks in eyes treated with 2-6 implants and for eyes without cataracts. A significant decrease in CRT was observed relative to the baseline at 6 weeks for eyes treated with 1 and 2-6 implants, which was maintained at 6 months for those eyes treated with 2-6 implants. This significant improvement in CRT at 6 weeks and 6 months was evident in eyes with and without cataracts. During the study period, the IOP was found to increase significantly from baseline at 6 weeks in some eyes but this was managed topically, and no surgical intervention was necessary. Conclusion: Intravitreal DEX implants represent an effective and safe therapy for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis in routine clinical practice, producing favorable visual and anatomical outcomes after the administration of just 2-6 DEX implants.

Electronic Patient Records to Identify Patients in the United Kingdom with Diabetic Macular Oedema Suitable for ILUVIEN(®) (Fluocinolone Acetonide).

INTRODUCTION: We describe a proactive method using electronic patient records (EPR) to identify pseudophakic patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) that might benefit from treatment with 0.2 µg/day fluocinolone acetonide (FAc; ILUVIEN(®)) implant. METHODS: Our EPR audit tool (Medisoft(®)) identified diabetic patients (May 2011-December 2014) with National Screening Committee-confirmed grade M1 maculopathy. Searches segmented this DMO patient population into patient groups who: (1) had received ranibizumab therapy, (2) had received ≥2 macular laser treatments, or (3) were unsuitable for macular laser or ranibizumab therapy. Pre-specified criteria identified patients insufficiently responsive to treatment, and their electronic case notes were flagged for clinicians to consider FAc, based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) TA301. RESULTS: Using this methodology, 138 patients with DMO were identified, of whom 87 were assigned to group 1, 32 to group 2, and 29 to group 3 (10 patients were included in both groups 2 and 3). From these, 28 different pseudophakic eyes were identified as suitable for treatment with FAc, based on insufficient response to prior treatment. CONCLUSION: EPR audit offers a real-world methodology to efficiently identify patients that might benefit from treatment with FAc. Limitations apply, and thorough documentation of lens status and ocular comorbidities is vital; however, this approach was more rapid than prospective recruitment through the clinic. Flagging patient records using EPR audit offers a practical process for application to clinical practice, thereby optimizing patient care in line with NICE TA301 guidelines. FUNDING: Alimera Sciences Ltd.