Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of the 0.18 Mg Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Implant Following Local Corticosteroid Burst in Noninfectious Uveitis.

PURPOSE: The 0.18 mg fluocinolone acetonide implant (FAi) is marketed for up to 36 months for treatment of noninfectious uveitis. An additional short-term corticosteroid burst prior to the 0.18 mg FAi, followed by attempt at long-term inflammation control with the 0.18 mg FAi may be beneficial given the low dose of the implant. We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing this treatment approach at our institution to determine its efficacy. METHODS: Patients who received a corticosteroid burst followed by the 0.18 mg FAi with at least 6-month follow-up post 0.18 mg FAi were included. The primary outcome, treatment escalation (defined as worsening inflammation requiring escalation of therapy), was modeled using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Secondary outcomes included cystoid macular edema (CME), central macular thickness, retinal vasculitis, visual acuity, anterior chamber and vitreous cell, use of systemic therapy, use of corticosteroid drops, IOP, number of IOP lowering medications, need for glaucoma surgery, need for cataract surgery, and additional local corticosteroids. RESULTS: 32 eyes were included (mean follow-up: 19.8 months). Prior to corticosteroid burst, 37.5% were on systemic therapy, 53% had CME, and 25% had retinal vasculitis. At FAi visit, CME had decreased to 18.8%. Mean time to treatment escalation after FAi was 20.3 months (95% CI 14.8-25.7 months). No patient discontinued systemic therapy and on average 15.0% of eyes required additional local corticosteroids at each follow-up interval. CONCLUSIONS: This treatment approach demonstrates that the 0.18 mg FAi is a useful adjuvant for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis but may not be adequate as solo therapy.

Multimodal imaging of an acute presentation of ocular histoplasmosis syndrome in an immunocompetent patient.

Purpose: Presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) is a posterior segment disorder that is usually subclinical unless choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) develops. It is thought to be the sequela of a prior systemic infection with Histoplasma capsulatum, and evidence supporting this association is based on epidemiologic, animal, and few enucleation studies. Acute presentation of chorioretinal involvement during an initial histoplasmosis systemic infection in immunocompetent patients is rarely reported, presumably due to the usual lack of or minimal symptoms of both the systemic and ocular disease. We report on an immunocompetent male with choroidal lesions detected during disseminated histoplasmosis infection and characterize the lesions using multimodal imaging. Observations: A 17-year-old male presented when routine optometry screening detected two deep, yellowish-white lesions in the left fundus. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging confirmed a choroidal mass with extension through Bruch's membrane into the subretinal space and a small amount of subretinal fluid. Fluorescein angiography was suggestive of CNVM. There were no clinical findings of intraocular inflammation, and the patient was initially lost to follow-up. Eight weeks after last follow-up, the patient presented to the emergency department with fatigue, mild respiratory symptoms, and abdominal pain for the last month. Imaging revealed a mediastinal mass with hilar extension and innumerable nodules throughout the lung and spleen. Serum Histoplasma IgM/IgG were positive, and biopsy of the mediastinal mass revealed Histoplasma organisms. The patient was treated with antifungals and discharged. The patient underwent an extensive immunologic evaluation while admitted, which did not reveal an underlying immunodeficiency. On last follow-up, the choroidal lesions were smaller and more consolidated, and the subretinal fluid had resolved. Conclusions and Importance: We present a patient with choroidal lesions in the setting of disseminated systemic histoplasmosis infection and characterize a lesion using multimodal imaging. The presentation of acute chorioretinal lesions in the setting of biopsy proven systemic Histoplasma infection supports H. capsulatum as the etiology of POHS.

Use of Immunosuppression and the Risk of Subsequent Overall or Cancer Mortality.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of all-cause and cancer mortality (CM) in association with immunosuppression. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study at ocular inflammatory disease (OID) subspecialty centers. We harvested exposure and covariate data retrospectively from clinic inception (earliest in 1979) through 2010 inclusive. Then we ascertained overall and cancer-specific mortalities by National Death Index linkage. We constructed separate Cox models to evaluate overall and CM for each class of immunosuppressant and for each individual immunosuppressant compared with person-time unexposed to any immunosuppression. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with noninfectious OID, excluding those with human immunodeficiency infection or preexisting cancer. METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (mostly infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept); antimetabolites (methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine); calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine); and alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide) were given when clinically indicated in this noninterventional cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall mortality and CM. RESULTS: Over 187 151 person-years (median follow-up 10.0 years), during which 15 938 patients were at risk for mortality, we observed 1970 deaths, 435 due to cancer. Both patients unexposed to immunosuppressants (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.01) and those exposed to immunosuppressants but free of systemic inflammatory diseases (SIDs) (SMR = 1.04, 95% CI, 0.95-1.14) had similar mortality risk to the US population. Comparing patients exposed to TNF inhibitors, antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, and alkylating agents with patients not exposed to any of these, we found that overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.88, 0.89, 0.90, 1.11) and CM (aHR = 1.25, 0.89, 0.86, 1.23) were not significantly increased. These results were stable in sensitivity analyses whether excluding or including patients with SID, across 0-, 3-, or 5-year lags and across quartiles of immunosuppressant dose and duration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, in a cohort where the indication for treatment was proven unassociated with mortality risk, found that commonly used immunosuppressants-especially the antimetabolites methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine; the TNF inhibitors adalimumab and infliximab, and cyclosporine-were not associated with increased overall and CM over a median cohort follow-up of 10.0 years. These results suggest the safety of these agents with respect to overall and CM for patients treated with immunosuppression for a wide range of inflammatory diseases. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Risk of failing both methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil from the First-line Antimetabolites as Steroid-sparing Treatment (FAST) uveitis trial.

BACKGROUND: The antimetabolites methotrexate (MTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are commonly used as initial corticosteroid-sparing treatment for uveitis. There is little data examining risk factors for failing both MTX and MMF. The objective of this study is to determine risk factors for failing both MTX and MMF in patients with non-infectious uveitis. MAIN BODY: This is a sub-analysis of the First-line Antimetabolites as Steroid-sparing Treatment (FAST) uveitis trial, which was an international, multicenter, block-randomized, observer-masked, comparative effectiveness trial comparing MTX and MMF as initial treatments for non-infectious uveitis. This study was undertaken at multiple referral centers in India, the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico between 2013 and 2017. A total of 137 patients who completed all 12 months of follow-up from the FAST trial, were included in this study. The primary outcome was failing both antimetabolites over the 12 months of the trial. Potential predictors included: age, sex, bilateral involvement, anatomic location of the uveitis, presence of cystoid macular edema (CME) and retinal vasculitis at baseline visit, uveitis duration, and country/study sites as risk factors for failing both MTX and MMF. The presence of retinal vasculitis posterior to the equator on fluorescein angiogram was associated with failing both MTX and MMF. CONCLUSION: Retinal vasculitis may be a risk factor for failing multiple antimetabolites. Clinicians could consider more quickly advancing these patients to other medication classes, such as biologics.

Advanced OCT Analysis of Biopsy-proven Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Although diagnosing vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) can be challenging, early detection is critical for visual prognosis. We analyzed the spectrum of optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with biopsy-proven VRL and correlate these features with clinical parameters. DESIGN: This retrospective cross-sectional study was a multicenter chart review from 13 retina, uveitis, and ocular oncology clinics worldwide from 2008 to 2019. We included patients with a diagnosis of biopsy-proven VRL imaged with OCT at presentation. Ocular information, systemic information, and multimodal retinal imaging findings were collected and studied. The main outcome measure was the characteristics of VRL on OCT. RESULTS: A total of 182 eyes of 115 patients (63 women, mean age 65 years) were included in this study. The disease was bilateral in 81 patients (70%), and mean baseline visual acuity was 0.2 ± 0.89 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 20/32). At baseline, 38 patients (33%) presented with isolated ocular involvement, 54 (45%) with associated central nervous system involvement, and 11 (10%) with other systemic lymphomatous involvement; an additional 12 patients (10%) presented with central nervous system and other systemic involvement. On OCT, tumor infiltration was identified in various retinal layers, including lesions in the subretinal pigment epithelium compartment (91% of eyes), the subretinal compartment (43% of eyes), and the intraretinal compartment (7% of eyes). OCT analysis of eyes with VRL identified 3 main regions of retinal infiltration. Subretinal pigment epithelium location, with or without subretinal infiltration, was the most common pattern of involvement and isolated intraretinal infiltration was the least.

The Role of Screening for Asymptomatic Ocular Inflammation in Sarcoidosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of routine screening ophthalmic exam in patients with systemic sarcoidosis and no history of uveitis. METHODS: Prospective, single-center, observational study conducted at Northwestern University from October 11, 2012 to October 1, 2020 of new patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis and no history of uveitis, referred by medical subspecialists for screening ophthalmic exam. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients, with mean age of 51 ± 8.7 years, 59% female, 47% African American, 43% Caucasian, were enrolled. The majority (55%) had no ocular symptoms. The most common location of ocular involvement was the adnexa, in the form of conjunctival nodules (62%) and aqueous tear deficiency (23%). Intraocular inflammation was detected in 6 patients (13%); only 2 had active disease requiring treatment (4%). No asymptomatic patient had ocular involvement necessitating treatment. CONCLUSION: Screening exams are indicated in sarcoidosis patients with ocular symptoms. No benefit of screening was demonstrated in asymptomatic patients.

Optical Coherence Tomography Anatomic and Temporal Biomarkers in Uveitic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in noninfectious uveitis (NIU)-related macular edema. DESIGN: Clinical cohort study from post hoc analysis of 2 phase 3 clinical trials. METHODS: Correlation and longitudinal treatment analyses were performed. Of 198 patients with NIU, 134 received suprachoroidal CLS-TA (proprietary formulation of a triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), and 64 received sham, with 12.9% and 72%, respectively, receiving rescue therapy. RESULTS: At baseline, mean BCVA progressively worsened with each ordinal drop in central subfield ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity. Eyes with normal baseline EZ experienced greater 24-week change in BCVA versus those with some degree of baseline EZ disruption (11.9 vs 9.4 letters, P = .006). In contrast, eyes with baseline central subfield cystoid spaces and/or subretinal fluid showed more improvement (13.7 or 17.2 letters, respectively) at 24 weeks, versus those without such findings (5.5 [P = .012] or 9.5 letters [P < .001], respectively). Longitudinal modeling for CLS-TA-treated eyes showed that central subfield thickness (CST) reached 90% of maximal improvement by week 3, whereas 90% maximal response in BCVA was not reached until week 9. CLS-TA-treated eyes that showed CST reduction of ≥50 µm at 4 weeks experienced a greater 24-week improvement in BCVA versus those without such an early response (14.6 vs 6.5 letters, P = .006 for difference). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment EZ integrity and the presence of central subfield cystoid spaces or subretinal fluid each predict improved therapeutic response to treatment in eyes with NIU. In CLS-TA treated eyes, longitudinal modeling shows CST improvement preceding BCVA improvement.

The diverse multi-modal imaging findings of recurrent primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

We present a case of a 44-year-old man with biopsy-proven primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), who developed multiple ocular recurrences over the course of six years. Recurrences were imaged with color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography. This case demonstrates a single patient with a myriad of imaging findings of PVRL as well as response to a variety of therapeutic interventions.

Uveitis in Patients Treated with CTLA-4 and PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade Inhibition.

Purpose: To investigate the link between treatment with CTLA-4 and PD-1 checkpoint blockade inhibitors and the development of noninfectious uveitis.Methods: A survey was distributed to uveitis specialists to identify patients who developed uveitis while receiving either PD-1 inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab; PD-L1 inhibitors atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab; or the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab.Results: Fifteen patients from seven institutions were identified. The most common cancer diagnosis (13/15) was malignant melanoma. Fourteen patients had a new uveitis diagnosis following checkpoint blockade administration (six anterior uveitis, six panuveitis, one posterior uveitis, one anterior/intermediate combined); one patient developed optic neuritis. Uveitis was diagnosed within 6 months after drug initiation for 11/12 patients (median 63 days). Corticosteroid treatment was effective for most patients, although two patients had permanent loss of vision.Conclusions: Patients on checkpoint inhibitor therapy should be educated to seek care if they develop ocular symptoms, and prompt referral to specialists should be incorporated into oncology protocols.

Partial Scleral Rupture Presenting 4 Years After Laser in Situ Keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of partial scleral rupture after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective case report describing a late complication of LASIK surgery. RESULTS: A 32-year-old white woman with a history of LASIK surgery performed with a mechanical microkeratome 4 years previously presented for evaluation of partial bilateral scleral ruptures. An arcuate filtering bleb along the contour of the cornea was found on the right eye with associated hypotony and corneal astigmatism. There were no signs or symptoms of prior inflammation, and rheumatologic workup was negative. Imaging revealed scleral microbreaks in the absence of adjacent thinning. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern and location of thinning without findings consistent with inflammatory disease suggest that the partial bilateral scleral rupture was because of mechanical damage at the time of LASIK, possibly compounded by the hormonal changes of pregnancy.

Association of Fundus Autofluorescence Findings and Outer Retinal Lesions on Optical Coherence Tomography With Visual Acuity in Birdshot Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: This article investigates the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence imaging findings in birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR) and their association with visual acuity (VA). METHODS: In a retrospective, cross-sectional study, we evaluated OCT images for changes in retinal structure including cystoid macular edema (CME), epiretinal membrane, and outer retinal lesions. We assessed autofluorescence images for hypoautofluorescent and hyperautofluorescent changes and noted the distribution of the lesions. Demographic data and VA at the time of imaging were also collected. Associations between OCT and autofluorescence findings and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA were tested using linear regression. RESULTS: We conducted a chart review of 80 eyes from 40 patients with BSCR. Outer retinal lesions were found on OCT in 28 of 80 eyes (35%) and disruption of the outer segment ellipsoid zone (EZ) occurred in 23 eyes (28.7%). Macular hypoautofluorescent lesions were more common than hyperautofluorescent lesions, present in 58.8% and 13% of eyes, respectively. The presence of outer retinal lesions on OCT was significantly associated with reduced VA (P = .006) as was EZ disruption (P = .003). These associations remained significant after accounting for the presence of macular edema. There was a trend toward association of macular hypoautofluorescent lesions with decreased vision, although it was not statistically significant (P = .17). CONCLUSIONS: The association of outer retinal lesions with decreased VA suggests a mechanism of central vision loss that is distinct from CME and may provide an additional objective finding to monitor disease activity in BSCR patients.

Relapse of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Uveitis after Discontinuation of Immunomodulatory Therapy.

Purpose: To assess treatment outcomes in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis and relapse rates upon discontinuation of immunomodulatory therapy (IMT). Methods: Medical records of patients with JIA-associated uveitis seen at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the F.I. Proctor Foundation uveitis clinics from September 14, 1988 to January 5, 2011 were reviewed. The main outcome was time to relapse after attempting to discontinue IMT.Results: Of 66 patients with JIA-associated uveitis, 51 (77%) received IMT as either sole or combination therapy. Of a total of 51, 41 (80%) patients achieved corticosteroid-sparing control. Attempts were made to discontinue treatment in 19/51 (37%) patients. Of a total of 19 patients, 13 (68%) attempting to discontinue IMT relapsed, with a median time to relapse of 288 days from the time of attempted taper/discontinuation (IQR: 108-338).Conclusions: Corticosteroid-sparing control of inflammation was achieved in the majority of patients; however, attempts to stop IMT were often unsuccessful. Close follow-up of patients after discontinuation of therapy is warranted.

Tuberculous Uveitis Presenting with a Bullous Exudative Retinal Detachment: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

Purpose: To describe tuberculous uveitis (TU) presenting as a bullous retinal detachment (RD) and to perform a comprehensive literature review on TU with similar features. Methods: Observational case report and systematic literature review. Results: An 84-year-old woman presented with bilateral granulomatous uveitis and bullous RD in the left eye. The interferon gamma release assay was strongly positive, but all other tests were unremarkable. The patient was diagnosed with TU and started on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and systemic steroids with excellent treatment response. Twenty-six articles (32 cases) reported TU with exudative RD. Choroidal tuberculoma was the most common clinical manifestation, followed by optic disc edema and retinal exudate. Systemic steroids with ATT improved vision in more patients (78.6%) than ATT alone (50.0%) or oral steroids followed by ATT (50.0%). Conclusion: Atypical presentations of TU make diagnosis and treatment difficult. A high level of suspicion for TU is needed to minimize ocular morbidity.

Vertical Hyperreflective Lesions on Optical Coherence Tomography in Vitreoretinal Lymphoma.

Importance: Vitreoretinal lymphoma is a diagnostic challenge and the pathophysiology is still unclear. Objective: To describe an imaging finding seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT) of patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series study was a retrospective medical record review of patients who received a diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma at the Department of Ophthalmology at Northwestern University between July 2014 and January 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Optical coherence tomography findings in vitreoretinal lymphoma. Results: We identified 7 patients (4 women [57.1%]; mean [range] age, 62.4 [45-75] years; 12 eyes) with intraocular lymphoma involving the retina (5 patients [71.4%] with primary vitreoretinal or central nervous system lymphoma with ocular involvement, 1 patient [14.3%] with testicular lymphoma with secondary central nervous system lymphoma and vitreoretinal lymphoma, and 1 patient [14.3%] with secondary vitreoretinal lymphoma). We identified vertical hyperreflective lesions that showed moderate or high reflectivity and affected all layers of the neuroretina in 5 patients (7 of 12 eyes [58.3%]). These often preceded the development of subretinal pigment epithelial deposits and were often localized around second-order and third-order retinal vessels. In most cases, they resolved with minimal or no scarring after the initiation of chemotherapy. Conclusions and Relevance: Vertical hyperreflective lesions are a common physical finding on OCT in eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Adalimumab for the treatment of uveitis.

INTRODUCTION: Adalimumab, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), is the only systemic non-corticosteroid agent which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to summarize the research which demonstrated the effectiveness of adalimumab in the treatment of intraocular inflammation and helped to establish its side effect profile, ultimately leading to its FDA approval. Expert commentary: Adalimumab is a useful second-line agent in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis. While it is only approved in the United States for use in intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis in adults, I find it to be effective in off-label treatment of pediatric uveitis and scleritis as well.

Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery secondary to vancomycin-resistant Ochrobactrum anthropi: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report an unusual case of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, secondary to Ochrobactrum anthropi that was found to be resistant to vancomycin. FINDINGS: Anterior chamber paracentesis cultures grew gram negative bacilli Ochrobactrum anthropi. The patient was treated with a series of intracameral injections of moxifloxacin, with adjuvant oral moxifloxacin. Posterior sub-Tenon and oral corticosteroids were used to treat cystoid macular edema. Explantation of the intraocular lens (IOL)-capsular bag complex was avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic postoperative endophthalmitis is a rare entity, often due to indolent pathogens that sequester in the capsular bag. Aggressive surgical intervention may be avoided with the use of adequate intraocular antibiotic, provided that the offending organism demonstrates appropriate antibiotic susceptibilities.

Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Nonparaneoplastic Autoimmune Retinopathy Using a Modified Delphi Approach.

PURPOSE: To develop diagnostic criteria for nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) through expert panel consensus and to examine treatment patterns among clinical experts. DESIGN: Modified Delphi process. METHODS: A survey of uveitis specialists in the American Uveitis Society, a face-to-face meeting (AIR Workshop) held at the National Eye Institute, and 2 iterations of expert panel surveys were used in a modified Delphi process. The expert panel consisted of 17 experts, including uveitis specialists and researchers with expertise in antiretinal antibody detection. Supermajority consensus was used and defined as 75% of experts in agreement. RESULTS: There was unanimous agreement among experts regarding the categorization of autoimmune retinopathies as nonparaneoplastic and paraneoplastic, including cancer-associated retinopathy and melanoma-associated retinopathy. Diagnostic criteria and tests essential to the diagnosis of nonparaneoplastic AIR and multiple supportive criteria reached consensus. For treatment, experts agreed that corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressives should be used (prescribed) as first- or second-line treatments, though a consensus agreed that biologics and intravenous immunoglobulin were considered appropriate in the treatment of nonparaneoplastic AIR patients regardless of the stage of disease. Experts agreed that more evidence is needed to treat nonparaneoplastic AIR patients with long-term immunomodulatory therapy and that there is enough equipoise to justify randomized, placebo-controlled trials to determine if nonparaneoplastic AIR patients should be treated with long-term immunomodulatory therapy. Regarding antiretinal antibody detection, consensus agreed that a standardized assay system is needed to detect serum antiretinal antibodies. Consensus agreed that an ideal assay should have a 2-tier design and that Western blot and immunohistochemistry should be the methods used to identify antiretinal antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was achieved using a modified Delphi process to develop diagnostic criteria for nonparaneoplastic AIR. There is enough equipoise to justify randomized, placebo-controlled trials to determine whether patients with nonparaneoplastic AIR should be treated with long-term immunomodulatory therapy. Efforts to develop a standardized 2-tier assay system for the detection of antiretinal antibodies have been initiated as a result of this study.

Structure-function Relationships in Uveitic Cystoid Macular Edema: Using En Face Optical Coherence Tomography to Predict Vision.

PURPOSE: To explore whether preserved retinal tissue on baseline en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) correlates with post-treatment visual acuity in patients with uveitis-associated cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 25 eyes (23 patients) with uveitis and CME, with resolution of CME at post-treatment follow-up. Baseline en face OCT images were analyzed to determine the proportion of pixels representing preserved retinal tissue. Macular thickness and volume data were also analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of preserved retinal tissue on baseline OCT strongly correlated with baseline visual acuity (r = 0.61, p = 0.0014), and correlated even better with vision after CME resolution (r = 0.73, p < 0.0001). Weak correlations were found between macular thickness and volume at baseline and post-treatment acuity (r = 0.38, p = 0.058 and r = 0.39, p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: Preserved retinal tissue at baseline strongly correlates with post-treatment visual acuity in patients with uveitis-associated CME, and is a better predictor of future vision than macular thickness or volume.

Risk factors associated with intraocular pressure increase in patients with uveitis treated with the fluocinolone acetonide implant.

IMPORTANCE: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a well-known adverse event associated with the fluocinolone acetonide implant (FAI), but no data are available regarding factors associated with increased risk of IOP elevation in patients treated with the FAI. OBJECTIVE: To report risk factors that may predispose patients to elevated IOP after treatment with the FAI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data from 3 multicenter, 3-year, prospective, randomized, phase 2b/3 clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of the FAI were pooled and analyzed. Patients had no underlying glaucoma and at least one eye with a history of recurrent noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment. Patients were treated with 1 or more of the following: systemic therapy (corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs) for at least 3 months before enrollment, 2 or more sub-Tenon capsule corticosteroid injections for uveitis management during the 6 months before enrollment, or systemic corticosteroid or sub-Tenon capsule corticosteroid injection therapy required for at least 2 separate recurrences within 6 months before enrollment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Factors evaluated as risk factors for IOP elevation included age, sex, lens status, uveitis severity at enrollment, and location of uveitis. RESULTS: Data analyses were based on 641 eyes. A total of 351 eyes did not receive the FAI, whereas 290 eyes had the 0.59-mg FAI placed. An increase in IOP of 10 mm Hg or elevation to 30 mm Hg was seen in 60 untreated eyes (17.1%) and 188 treated eyes (65.1%) (hazard ratio, 5.80; 95% CI, 4.28-7.70; P < .001). A total of 8 untreated eyes (2.3%) required surgical intervention for elevated IOP compared with 93 treated eyes (32.1%) (hazard ratio, 16.48; 95% CI, 8.24-32.96; P < .001). In patients with the FAI, younger age, male sex, and phakic lens status were associated with higher risk of IOP elevation and the need for glaucoma surgery (P = .003, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Patients receiving the FAI are at higher risk of developing an IOP increase of 10 mm Hg or an absolute IOP of 30 mm Hg when compared with patients without the FAI. Patients who are male, younger, and phakic are at an even higher risk for elevated IOP and possibly glaucoma surgery.