Tattoo-Induced Exacerbations of Systemic Disease and Uveitis.

Purpose: To examine an underreported and underdiagnosed phenomenon with implications for the pathophysiological mechanisms of tattoo-induced uveitis. Methods: Two cases highlighting the clinical presentation of tattoo-related uveitis were evaluated. Results: A 28-year-old man with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and ocular manifestations presented with worsening retinal vasculitis after acquiring a red-ink tattoo. Each subsequent flare followed acquisition of a new tattoo. A 31-year-old woman without systemic sarcoidosis presented with multiple episodes of bilateral intermediate uveitis and macular edema concurrent with inflammatory granulomas to recently acquired black-ink tattoos. A skin biopsy in both patients showed cutaneous noncaseating granulomas. Conclusions: These cases add to those reported in the literature and emphasize the importance of understanding the modifiable factors of inflammatory ocular disease. Future study is necessary to understand the mechanisms of tattoo-related uveitis.

The Association between QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test and Clinical Manifestations of Uveitis in the United States.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) positivity among uveitis patients compared to general population and to evaluate the differences in clinical features of uveitis. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: SETTING: Institutional. PATIENT POPULATION: 418 consecutive new uveitis patients, regardless of clinical suspicion, were tested for QFT-G. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Demographics, TB risk factors, clinical characteristics of uveitis were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of QFT-G positivity among uveitis patients and characteristic clinical features among QFT-G positive patients. RESULTS: QFT-G positivity was found in 60/418 patients with uveitis (14.4%, 95% CI: 11.18 - 18.14) higher than the general US population (5%, 95% CI: 4.2 - 5.8, p<.001). Age, gender and residence were similar between QFT-G positive and negative groups. Uveitis patients with positive QFT-G were more likely to be foreign born or have a recent travel history (OR:5.84; 95% CI: 2.83 - 12.05; p<.001). QFT-G positive patients were more likely to present with granulomatous uveitis (OR 2.90; 95%CI 1.36 - 6.21; p=.006). No significant association was found with specific clinical features such as choroiditis, retinal vasculitis, occlusive vasculitis, and serpiginoid choroiditis (p>.05 for each). Prevalence of TB-uveitis based on treatment response was 1.19%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates significantly higher prevalence of QFT-G positivity among uveitis patients compared to average US population. Characteristic signs of TB uveitis reported in endemic countries were not seen in this cohort. Implications of higher prevalence of QFT-G positivity among uveitis patients require further investigation.

Current management of uveitis-associated ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Glaucoma secondary to ocular inflammation is potentially blinding and requires aggressive multifaceted management. The pathogenesis is related to the intraocular pressure elevation secondary to compromised aqueous humor outflow by inflammatory cells, chemical mediators released into the aqueous, and to the uveitic therapy itself (corticosteroid induced). The management of uveitic glaucoma needs a careful combination between anti-inflammatory therapy and appropriate intraocular pressure-lowering drugs to prevent worsening of condition and long-term visual loss. Although there have been novel medications that have emerged in the management of glaucoma and uveitis, around 30% of uveitic glaucoma eyes do not respond to maximal medical therapy and require surgical intervention. Studied procedures include laser therapy, filtration surgery, and glaucoma drainage devices, as well as recent surgical techniques for intraocular pressure control such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and angle-based procedures. We review and update the medical and surgical management of uveitic glaucoma.