Prognostic factors of cataract surgery in patients with uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of patients with uveitis undergoing cataract surgery and to identify possible factors influencing the visual prognosis and the development of postoperative complications. METHODS: Retrospective study of all patients with uveitis who underwent cataract surgery between January 2015 and February 2020 in our tertiary referral center. RESULTS: A total of 78 eyes from 78 patients were included in the study. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 86% of patients, and a BCVA of 0.5 or better was achieved in 57 (73%) patients. A significant correlation was shown between the preoperative and postoperative BCVA (Spearman r = 0.521, p < 0.01). Final BCVA differed between diverse anatomical uveitis entities (p = 0.047), and anterior uveitis demonstrated the best outcomes. Chronic uveitis resulted in a worse final BCVA than acute recurrent uveitis (p = 0.001). The presence of CME any time before the surgery and intermediate uveitis were associated with worse visual prognosis, while systemic therapy for uveitis before surgery and iris manipulation during surgery were not related to visual outcomes. Postoperative development of cystoid macular edema (CME) was closely associated with preexisting CME (p < 0.001) and intermediate uveitis (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Visual results of cataract surgery in patients with uveitis were beneficial, but limited visual outcomes were more frequently observed in patients with chronic uveitis and intermediate uveitis with a history of CME. In consequence, prevention, or adequate treatment of CME, especially in patients with intermediate uveitis, might result in better visual results of their cataract surgery.

High concordance of intraocular antibody synthesis against the rubella virus and Fuchs heterochromic uveitis syndrome in Slovenia.

PURPOSE: To prospectively study the relationship between Fuchs heterochromic uveitis syndrome (FHUS) and intraocular production of specific antibodies against the rubella virus (RV) in Slovenia. METHODS: Using the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient technique, intraocular synthesis of specific antibodies against RV, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Toxoplasma gondii-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies was performed in 12 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed FHUS and 12 patients with idiopathic recurrent unilateral anterior uveitis (AU) without clinical features of FHUS. RESULTS: Specific intraocular antibody synthesis against RV with a positive Goldmann-Witmer coefficient was proven in 11 of 12 (92%) FHUS patients, and in none of the non-FHUS AU patients (Fisher's exact test <0.0001). In one patient with FHUS, specific antibodies against RV and varicella-zoster virus were concurrently detected. Specific antibodies against cytomegalovirus were detected in one patient with unilateral recurrent AU. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular production of specific immunoglobulin G against RV was proven in the majority of tested cohort of FHUS patients from Slovenia as compared to the group of patients with idiopathic AU, which suggests that RV is involved in the pathogenesis of FHUS in this geographic area.

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.

Choroidal thickening with serous retinal detachment in BRAF/MEK inhibitor-induced uveitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of patients with unresectable metastatic malignant melanoma. In addition to systemic side effects, several usually mild ocular adverse effects have been reported. We report a case of rarely reported vision-threatening bilateral panuveitis with serous retinal detachment, thickened choroid, and chorioretinal folds associated with dabrafenib and trametinib targeted therapy for B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutant metastatic cutaneous melanoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female patient with metastatic melanoma treated with dabrafenib and trametinib presented with blurry vision and central scotoma lasting for 3 d in both eyes. Clinical examination and multimodal imaging revealed inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, mild vitritis, bullous multiple serous retinal detachments, and chorioretinal folds in both eyes. Treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib was suspended, and the patient was treated with topical and intravenous corticosteroids followed by oral corticosteroid treatment with a tapering schedule. One and a half months after the disease onset, ocular morphological and functional improvement was noted. Due to the metastatic melanoma dissemination, BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors were reintroduced and some mild ocular adverse effects reappeared, which later subsided after receiving oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Patients on combination therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib may rarely develop severe bilateral panuveitis with a good prognosis. Further studies have to establish potential usefulness of ophthalmological examination for asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, appropriate guidelines for managing panuveitis associated with dabrafenib and trametinib should be established.

Vancomycin-Associated Hemorrhagic Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis: A Case Series and Systematic Review.

This study describes three unilateral cases of hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV) after cataract surgery and a review of the literature until February 2022, including 21 articles reporting HORV cases. Altogether, 61 eyes (41 patients) were included. Twenty patients had bilateral and 21 patients had unilateral HORV. Prophylactic vancomycin was given to all patients. Additional vancomycin use was associated with the worst outcome. The mean time to HORV was 9 days post-cataract surgery. In bilateral cases, the median time between surgeries was 7 days. Visual acuity was < 20/400 in 48%, with no light perception in 20%. Neovascular glaucoma developed in 43%. Central macular thickening or hyperreflectivity of the inner retinal layers on optical coherence tomography was associated with worse outcomes. Corticosteroid treatment, early panretinal laser photocoagulation, or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and prophylaxis alternative to vancomycin is recommended. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:702-712.].

Intraocular and serum cytokine profiles in patients with intermediate uveitis.

PURPOSE: To study the intraocular and serum cytokine and chemokine profile in patients with intermediate uveitis (IU) at various stages of inflammatory activity. METHODS: Institutional, prospective association study. Paired aqueous humor (AqH) and serum samples were collected from 36 consecutive IU patients and 10 controls. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, CC--chemokine ligand 5/regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed, and secreted (CCL5/RANTES), CC--chemokine ligand 3/macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (CCL3/MIP-1α), CCL4/MIP-1ß, and CC--chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemotactic protein--1 (CCL2/MCP-1) were measured in both AqH and serum by multiplex immunoassay. Main outcome measures were serum and intraocular levels of the analyzed cyto- and chemokines. RESULTS: Patients with IU had higher serum levels of TNF-α than non-uveitic controls (p<0.0001), whereas their AqH TNF-α levels did not show a difference (p=0.323). IU patients had higher intraocular levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and CCL2/MCP-1 than the controls (p=0.020, 0.001, <0.0001, 0.005, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively). Active stages of IU were characterized by higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, CCL5/RANTES and CCL2/MCP-1 (p=0.003, <0.0001, 0.033, and 0.033, respectively). Higher levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were found in IU patients with cystoid macular edema (CME) compared to non-CME IU patients (p=0.026 and 0.012, respectively). Significant positive correlations between various observed mediators were present in the AqH of IU patients only. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly elevated concentrations of multiple intraocular cytokines were found in IU patients, especially IL-6 and IL-8 in those with CME and active disease. In serum elevated TNF-α levels were observed in IU patients. Our findings improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of IU and contribute to the identification of factors which may contribute to the activity of IU.

Comparison of rubella virus- and herpes virus-associated anterior uveitis: clinical manifestations and visual prognosis.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical characteristics and visual prognosis of patients with anterior uveitis (AU) and intraocular fluid analysis positive for rubella virus (RV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), or varicella zoster virus (VZV). DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 106 patients with AU and positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, Goldmann-Witmer coefficients (GWCs), or both, for RV (n = 57), HSV (n = 39), or VZV (n = 10). METHODS: Clinical records of the included patients were analyzed retrospectively; demographic constitution, ophthalmologic characteristics, and visual prognosis were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, gender, and diverse clinical and laboratory characteristics, including course and laterality of AU; prevalence of positive results for PCR, GWC, or both; conjunctival redness; corneal edema; history of keratitis; presence of keratic precipitates; synechiae; heterochromia; and grade of inflammation. In addition, complications and visual acuity at 1 and 3 years of follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: All 3 types of viral AU were characterized by unilateral involvement (80%-97%). Rubella virus AU was characterized by younger age at onset and chronic course and typically was associated with cataract at presentation. Heterochromia was present in 23% of RV AU patients. Anterior uveitis associated with HSV or VZV occurred characteristically in older patients and frequently followed an acute course. Clinical features associated with herpetic AU included conjunctival redness, corneal edema, history of keratitis, and development of posterior synechiae. Herpes simplex virus AU often had severe anterior chamber inflammation, whereas the presence of vitritis was more common in RV AU and VZV AU. The prevalence of documented intraocular pressure (IOP) of more than 30 mmHg (25%-50%; P = 0.06) and development of glaucoma (18%-30%; P = 0.686) were similar in all 3 groups. Focal chorioretinal scars were seen in 22% of RV AU eyes, in 0% of HSV AU eyes, and in 11% of VZV AU eyes (P = 0.003). Visual prognosis was favorable for all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: These observations identify clinical differences between RV AU, HSV AU, and VZV AU and may be of particular value to ophthalmologists who are unable to carry out intraocular fluid analysis to discriminate between these types of viral AU. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Vitreous hemorrhage in multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis.

PURPOSE: To report on six patients who developed vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in the course of intermediate uveitis (IU) associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Observational case series. RESULTS: Six out of 25 patients (24%) with IU and MS seen at two tertiary centers developed VH. Average age at onset of MS was 26 years and average age at the onset of IU was 25 years. IU developed before the onset of MS in four of the six patients (67%). All patients had IU associated with peripheral phlebitis. The average interval between the onset of IU and the occurrence of VH was five years (range: 0-11 years; VH was the initial sign of uveitis in 2 patients). VH cleared spontaneously in all cases; however, subsequent retinal detachment developed in two eyes. All six patients had ischemic retinal areas and four had subretinal neovascularizations. Optimal visual acuity five years after VH varied from no light perception to full visual acuity. The causes of diminished acuity included optic neuritis, cystoid macular edema (CME), and retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: The possibility of MS-associated uveitis should be considered in patients with IU and VH.

Effect of tinted optical filters on visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in patients with inflammatory cystoid macular edema.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the effect of tinted optical filters (TFs) on visual function in patients with inflammatory cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: A prospective study included 14 patients with inflammatory CME and best-corrected visual acuity between 0.1 and 0.8 (CME group) and 16 sex-, age-, and best-corrected visual acuity-matched patients with macular disorders but no CME (non-CME group). All patients from both groups underwent the following tests: determination of visual acuity at distance, contrast sensitivity (CS) testing; and subjective grading of each TF for best-corrected visual acuity and CS compared with no TFs. All tests were performed with the following TFs: Corning photochromic filter with a cutoff at 450 nm; Zeiss filter with a cutoff at 560 nm; and cheap widely available yellow filter with a cutoff at 489 nm. RESULTS: Without TFs, the CME and non-CME groups did not differ in best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.79). Using the TFs, a clinically significant improvement was not achieved by any patient. However, using the definition of any improvement, best-corrected visual acuity with all TFs showed a significant improvement in the CME group compared with no TFs (P < 0.01). The CME group rated the Corning photochromic filter with a cutoff of 450 nm significantly higher than the other TFs when determining visual acuity (P = 0.05) and CS (P = 0.01) in contrast to no improvement in the non-CME group. CONCLUSION: Although the use of TFs for the CME patients was not associated with criteria of clinically significant improvement, our results indicate that visual acuity and CS in patients with inflammatory CME might benefit from the use of TFs.