Treatment of Behçet Uveitis in Türkiye.

Objectives: Behçet uveitis (BU) is a potentially blinding disorder. The main determinant of visual prognosis is early and appropriate treatment that provides rapid suppression of inflammatory attacks, control of subclinical inflammation, and prevention of new attacks. Our study aimed to determine the Turkish uveitis specialists' approach regarding the treatment choices and management of special situations such as pregnancy, vaccination, and surgical planning in BU patients, and to increase information sharing and raise awareness of issues where knowledge is lacking. Materials and Methods: A web-based survey including 16 questions about the treatment approach in ocular involvement of Behçet's disease was sent via e-mail to uveitis specialists in Türkiye. Based on the answers of 49 ophthalmologists who responded to the survey, we evaluated the approaches of uveitis specialists in our country to initiating treatment, selecting therapeutic agents, monitoring, switching and stopping treatment, and special situations such as surgical planning, vaccination, and pregnancy in BU patients. Results: Uveitis specialists in our country mostly act in accordance with the guidelines in the decision to start treatment, selection of therapeutic agents, and monitoring the safety of treatment in BU. However, there is a lack of information about the therapeutic approach in pregnancy and vaccination practices. It was also observed that there is no consensus on the precautions to be taken before cataract surgery. Conclusion: Our study has shown that there is a need for more detailed and widespread information sharing on treatment in preparation for ocular surgery, safety monitoring, drug use during pregnancy, and vaccination in BU patients.

Vitiligo in a Patient Receiving Adalimumab for Idiopathic Uveitis.

In recent years, adalimumab has been increasingly used in the chronic treatment of non-infectious uveitis. This case report aimed to describe a drug-induced adverse event in a 34-year-old man who presented with blurred vision and floaters in the right eye and was being treated for intermediate uveitis. The patient had started topical treatment with a diagnosis of uveitis at another center. Best corrected visual acuity at presentation was 0.8 (decimal) in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. On examination, the anterior chamber in the right eye was clear, with anterior vitreous cells and mild haze, and snow banking and vitreous opacities in the inferior periphery. Fluorescein angiography (FA) showed hyperfluorescence in the right disc and leakage in the inferior periphery. As the inflammation did not resolve with local treatment, systemic cyclosporine was administered, after which the patient exhibited vomiting and weakness. Cyclosporine was discontinued and adalimumab treatment was started. On examination 5 months later, bilateral vitreous cells and mild vitreous opacity were noted, and FA showed mild leakage in the inferior periphery bilaterally. In addition, a depigmented patchy vitiligo lesion was observed on the chin. Due to the persistence of intraocular inflammation and on the recommendation of the dermatology clinic, adalimumab treatment was continued and topical tacrolimus was started for the lesion. On examination 3 months later, the inflammatory findings had resolved and there was no progression of the vitiligo lesion. The patient's treatment was continued. Taken together with the previous literature findings, no pathology was found in the patient's systemic examination, suggesting that this lesion was a side effect of the treatment. Ophthalmologists should be alert for this side effect in patients receiving adalimumab.

Ocular Findings of Pediatric Dry Eye Related to Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency and findings of dry eye associated with ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively the records of pediatric patients with ocular GVHD were evaluated and ophthalmologic examination findings as well as Schirmer test results, tear film break-up time, and corneal staining grades were recorded. In severe dry eye patients topical cyclosporine-A was prescribed and the results were evaluated. Results: GVHD was detected in 51 (23.4%) of 218 HSCT patients, 4 of whom died during follow-up. Thirty (63.8%) of the remaining 47 patients had chronic ocular GVHD and 4 patients with severe dry eye were treated with topical cyclosporine-A with a median follow-up of 12.1 months. Severe dry eye symptoms and findings significantly improved in 2 patients. However, 1 patient had to stop treatment due to side effects. Conclusion: In children, chronic ocular GVHD is a common finding of GVHD after HSCT. Therefore, these patients should be examined periodically for dry eye.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive alternative method used in the diagnosis and follow-up of acute branch retinal artery occlusion to show changes secondary to ischemia. We report a case with acute branch retinal artery occlusion. A 52-year-old man presented with a complaint of sudden-onset visual loss in the right lower quadrant of the left eye for the previous three days. Best-corrected visual acuity was 0.4 temporally. Inferonasal visual field deficit was detected with confrontation. Pupillary light reactions were normal in both eyes and there was no relative afferent pupillary defect. Dilated fundus examination revealed retinal lesion suggesting superior temporal branch retinal artery occlusion. He was treated with dextran 40 and pentoxifylline. Follow-up fundus fluorescein angiography could not performed because of chronic renal failure; OCTA demonstrated superficial and deep capillary non-perfusion areas and telangiectases in areas corresponding to the artery occlusion.

Evaluation of Aqueous Flare Levels Following Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injection for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate aqueous flare levels following intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In total, 81 eyes of 79 patients who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular AMD were included. Aqueous flare was evaluated before pupillary dilatation with Kowa FM-600 laser flare meter at baseline, and 1 day, and 1 month after intravitreal administration of ranibizumab 0.5 mg (0.05 mL). RESULTS: The mean anterior chamber flare was 10.7 ± 6.8 (range: 1.5-35.4) ph/ms before the injection, 12.5 ± 8.9 (range: 0.3-43) ph/ms on the first day, and 9.9 ± 5.7 (range: 0.2-28.4) ph/ms in the first month. On the first day, a subtle increasing of flare was observed. However, the difference between the mean aqueous flare levels at baseline and postoperative first day and first month was not statistically different (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant short-term intraocular inflammation was noted in these eyes receiving ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular AMD.

Evaluation of Intraocular Inflammation with Laser Flare Photometry in Behçet Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between intraocular inflammation and laser flare photometry measurements in Behçet disease. METHODS: In total, 45 patients were included in the study. The retrospective chart reviews of patients were performed. The flare levels were compared with the grade of anterior chamber cells, the presence of vitreous cells, the complications of uveitis, and fluorescein angiography scores. RESULTS: The attack group had higher flare intensity; the flare levels were higher in both groups compared with the values of healthy controls. The flare levels were related to the grade of the anterior chamber cells, the presence of vitreous cells and the fluorescein angiography scores. Patients with optic atrophy and/or maculopathy also had higher values. Higher flare values were correlated with poor vision. CONCLUSIONS: Laser flare photometry may reduce the necessity of fluorescein angiography in monitoring subclinical inflammation and may be an indicator of posterior segment activity when fluorescein angiography is not applicable.

Nocturnal lagophthalmos in children with urofacial syndrome (Ochoa): a novel sign.

The urofacial syndrome is a rare condition that occurs in both genders and characterized by uropathy and facial abnormalities. Early diagnosis is crucial for the management and prognosis of urinary problems. Paradoxical inversion of facial musculature when smiling, giving an appearance of crying associated with severe urinary tract dysfunction is typical in these patients. Although facial signs and symptoms are generally ignored and shadowed by the dominant bladder symptoms, we have recently realized a unique but constant finding in majority of these patients, nocturnal lagophthalmos which is described as inability to close the eyelids during sleep. We report 15 patients with urofacial syndrome (Ochoa) whom mostly had admitted with major urological symptoms and 12 of the cases had nocturnal lagophthalmos. Lagophthalmos may lead to keratitis, corneal abrasion, infection, vascularization, and in extreme cases, ocular perforation, endophthalmitis and loss of the eye. Basic modalities like lubricant drops during the day and ointments at night are usually enough to protect the cornea from exposure keratopathy. In moderate to severe cases, overnight taping of the lid or the use of a moisture chamber might be necessary. Majority of our patients responded to basic therapy. Conclusion Nocturnal lagophthalmos is a novel symptom described in patients with urofacial syndrome. The pediatricians and urologists should be careful about this symptom to prevent eye damage and quality of life problems.

Anterior uveitis associated with laser epilation of eyebrows.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to report a case of unilateral anterior uveitis after laser hair removal of the eyebrows with an alexandrite laser. FINDINGS: A 36-year-old female presented with painful red eye and photophobia in her left eye 2 days after receiving alexandrite (755 nm) laser epilation of both eyebrows. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Right eye examination was normal. Left eye examination showed conjunctival injection, 2+ cells in the anterior chamber, and local posterior synechiae. Intraocular pressure and fundus examination were normal in both eyes. Topical steroids and cycloplegic drops were prescribed. Three days after the initiation of topical treatment, there was a reduction in anterior chamber cells to 1+, but posterior synechiae was enhanced. One week after, there were 0.5+ cells in the anterior chamber and no further enlargement of posterior synechiae. At the 2-month follow-up, uncorrected visual acuity remained 20/20 in both eyes. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the right eye was normal. Intraocular pressure and fundus examination were still normal in both eyes. Although anterior chamber of the left eye was clear, posterior synechiae persisted. We are still following the patient. CONCLUSION: Laser hair removal of the eyebrows can lead to ocular damage and should be avoided.

Bell's palsy during interferon alpha 2a treatment in a case with Behçet uveitis.

PURPOSE: To present a case who developed Bell's palsy while using interferon alpha 2a for Behçet uveitis. METHODS: A patient with Behçet disease presented with decreased vision in his right eye. Ophthalmic examination, fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography were performed. After developing facial paralysis while on interferon therapy, the patient was referred to our neurology service for differential diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Examination of right eye revealed panuveitis with branch retinal vein occlusion, so high dose steroids were prescribed. In three days there was no improvement in terms of vitreous inflammation and so steroids were replaced with interferon. At the seventh month, patient experienced a facial paralysis. After eliminating other causes, including viral infections, trauma, cold exposure and neurological evaluation with cranial MRI, the patient was diagnosed to have Bell's palsy by a neurologist. Interferon was replaced with mycophenolate mofetil and the Bell's palsy was treated with oral steroids. CONCLUSION: It is important to be alert to both common and rare complications while treating with interferon.