The Microbiome and Uveitis: A Narrative Review.

The human intestinal microbiome is composed of hundreds of species and has recently been recognized as an important source of immune homeostasis. While dysbiosis, an altered microbiome from the normal core microbiome, has been associated with both intestinal and extraintestinal autoimmune disorders, including uveitis, causality has been difficult to establish. There are four proposed mechanisms of how the gut microbiome may influence the development of uveitis: molecular mimicry, imbalance of regulatory and effector T cells, increased intestinal permeability, and loss of intestinal metabolites. This review summarizes current literature on both animal and human studies that establish the link between dysbiosis and the development of uveitis, as well as provides evidence for the above mechanisms. Current studies provide valuable mechanistic insights as well as identify potential therapeutic targets. However, study limitations and the wide variability in the intestinal microbiome among populations and diseases make a specific targeted therapy difficult to establish. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to identify any potential therapeutic that targets the intestinal microbiome.

Macular Volume Scan as a Marker of Angiographic Uveitic Retinal Vasculitis: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) thickness values from macular volume scans can be used to detect uveitic retinal vasculitis. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with noninfectious retinal vasculitis. Fluorescein angiogram (FA) and 61-line OCT macular volume scans with an overlying Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy study (ETDRS) grid were obtained. Correlation between 1mm and 6mm ETDRS ring values and posterior pole vasculitis was analyzed. A linear longitudinal model was used to assess the relationship between global retinal vasculitis scores and OCT macular thickness parameters. RESULTS: Ninety-nine eyes of 54 patients were included. A total of 460 OCT and fluorescein angiogram pairs were analyzed. Central (1mm) macular thickness was weakly correlated with posterior pole vasculitis (correlation coefficient [rho]=0.09, p=0.06). Both the mean 6mm ring (rho=0.11, p=0.018) and the average of the superior and inferior (S/I) 6mm ring values (rho=0.13, p=0.006) were strongly correlated with posterior pole leakage. The longitudinal model showed that S/I 6mm ring values are associated with vasculitis in the posterior pole, mid and far periphery (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: OCT-based macular volume thickness can detect uveitic retinal vasculitis and aid in monitoring disease activity.

Optic Disc Edema Is an Under-Recognized Feature of Birdshot Chorioretinitis.

BACKGROUND: Optic disc edema is a feature of many ophthalmic and neurologic conditions. It remains an underappreciated feature of birdshot chorioretinitis (BSCR), leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of our study was to identify clinical features that are concomitant with optic disc edema and suggest a diagnosis of BSCR. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter case series of 29 patients who were referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist or uveitis specialist for evaluation of disc edema and were ultimately diagnosed with BSCR. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of 30 patients, from the practices of 15 uveitis specialists, met the eligibility criteria. In addition to disc edema, concomitant features in all patients included vitritis, chorioretinal lesions, and retinal vasculitis. Visual recovery to 20/40 or better occurred in 26 of 29 patients. Visual acuity remained 20/100 or worse in 2 patients previously diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, 1 patient previously diagnosed with optic neuritis, and 1 patient for whom treatment was delayed for years, leading to optic disc atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Optic disc edema is a presenting feature in some cases of BSCR. A diagnosis of BSCR should be considered when disc edema occurs with vitritis, chorioretinal inflammation, and retinal vasculitis. Patients should be referred to a uveitis specialist for treatment.

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.

MULTIZONAL OUTER RETINOPATHY AND RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIOPATHY (MORR): A Newly Recognized Entity or an Unusual Variant of AZOOR?

PURPOSE: To describe specific clinical, multimodal imaging, and natural history features of an unusual variant of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, longitudinal, multicenter case series. Patients exhibiting this unusual clinical condition among cases previously diagnosed with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy were included. Multimodal imaging, laboratory evaluations, and genetic testing for inherited retinal diseases were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty eyes from 10 patients (8 females and 2 males) with a mean age of 54.1 ± 13.3 years (range, 38-71 years) were included. The mean follow-up duration was 13.1 ± 5.3 years (range, 8-23 years). Presenting symptoms were bilateral in 7 patients (85% of eyes) and included scotomata and photopsia. All patients had bilateral lesions at presentation involving the peripapillary and far peripheral retina. Baseline optical coherence tomography showed alteration of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor layers corresponding to zonal areas of fundus autofluorescence abnormalities. Centrifugal and centripetal progression of the peripapillary and far-peripheral lesions, respectively, occurred over the follow-up, resulting in areas of complete outer retinal and retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. CONCLUSION: Initial alteration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium and a stereotypical natural course that includes involvement of the far retinal periphery, characterize this unusual condition. It may represent a variant of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy or may be a new entity. We suggest to call it multizonal outer retinopathy and retinal pigment epitheliopathy .

Long-term success treating inflammatory epiretinal neovascularization with immunomodulatory therapy.

PURPOSE: This study aims to report the long-term outcomes of uveitis-associated optic disc and epiretinal neovascularization (NV) treated with immunomodulatory therapy alone. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-center chart review conducted at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) and San Raffaele Scientific Institute (Milan, Italy) from 2014 to 2021 of patients with optic disc and/or retinal neovascularization associated with uveitis. The data collected included age at the time of NV detection, gender, medications, and follow-up period. Imaging was reviewed if available. RESULTS: Eight eyes of six patients were identified. The mean age was 22 years (range 10-52 years); the median follow-up was 3 years (range 6 months to 7 years). All eyes presented with active NV at the time of uveitis onset; 7 eyes were treatment-naïve. None had clinical or angiographic evidence of retinal ischemia. All patients received a variable combination of local steroids, systemic steroids, and systemic immunosuppression. Complete resolution of uveitic NV occurred in all eyes within a median of 8 weeks (ranging 2-20 weeks) from initiating treatment. No NV recurrence was noted. CONCLUSION: Immunomodulatory therapy alone may be successful in achieving long-term control of uveitis-associated NV, without the use of destructive measures.

RETINAL CAPILLARY DENSITY IN PATIENTS WITH BIRDSHOT CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To quantify retinal capillary density and determine its correlation with visual acuity in patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR). METHODS: Patients with BCR and age-matched controls were imaged using a commercially available spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography system (RTVue- XR Avanti; Optovue, Inc). We used the integrated software of the optical coherence tomography angiography device to analyze the foveal avascular zone area and the capillary density in the full retina as well as in the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus. We assessed the correlation between these parameters and visual acuity. RESULTS: Seventy-four eyes of 42 study participants (37 eyes of 21 BCR and 37 eyes of 21 healthy subjects) were included in this observational cross-sectional study. Capillary density of the full retina, superficial capillary plexus, and deep capillary plexus were significantly decreased in BCR compared with the healthy control group (P < 0.01). Visual acuity in patients with BCR was significantly associated with the capillary density of the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and full retina (P < 0.01) but not with the area of the foveal avascular zone. CONCLUSION: The decrease in visual acuity in patients with BCR is associated with retinal vascular impairment. Vessel density of the retinal capillary plexuses may be a promising imaging biomarker for BCR disease severity.

FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE IMPLANT FOR VOGT-KOYANAGI-HARADA DISEASE: Three-Year Outcomes of Efficacy and Safety.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. METHODS: A post hoc, subgroup analysis on patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada was performed using data sets from two multicenter randomized trials on fluocinolone acetonide implant. Each subject received fluocinolone acetonide implantation in one eye and standard-of-care treatment in the fellow eye and was followed for 3 years. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included with the mean age of 38.5 years. The cumulative rate of uveitis recurrence for 3 years was significantly reduced in implanted eyes compared with fellow eyes (33 vs. 87%; P < 0.001). The reduction of daily corticosteroid dose was well maintained (12.8 mg before implantation vs. 3.7 mg after implantation; P = 0.001), but final vision was similar to preoperative vision in the implanted eyes (P = 0.082) and in the fellow eyes (P = 0.187). Postoperative elevation of intraocular pressure was more frequent in the implanted eyes than in the fellow eyes (70 vs. 20%; P < 0.001). Cataract progression occurred in all phakic implanted eyes. CONCLUSION: Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant reduced uveitis recurrence rate and the dosage of systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressant requirement in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada. However, cataract and intraocular pressure elevation developed frequently.

Long-term, drug-free remission of sympathetic ophthalmia with high-dose, short-term chlorambucil therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of short-term, high-dose chlorambucil therapy in achieving long-term, drug-free remission in the treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients with SO treated with high-dose, short-term chlorambucil therapy between 1970 and 2010. METHODS: Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used to characterize disease and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Months of disease-free remission, prevalence rate of relapse, and prevalence of serious treatment-related adverse events. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with SO treated with short-term, high-dose chlorambucil were identified. Patients were treated with chlorambucil for a median of 14.0 weeks (mean, 14.5 weeks; range, 12.0-19.0 weeks). Median follow-up was 98.5 months (mean, 139.1 months; range, 48-441 months) from initiation of chlorambucil therapy. Control of inflammation was achieved in 100% of patients. Thirteen patients (81.3%) maintained vision of 20/40 or better in the sympathizing eye. Four patients (25%) relapsed after a median of 83 months (mean, 131 months) after cessation of systemic therapy. Seventy-five percent of relapses were controlled with topical therapy only. Conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma developed in 1 patient. No patient demonstrated systemic malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term, high-dose chlorambucil therapy provides sustained periods of drug-free remission. With median follow-up of more than 8 years (mean, 11.6 years; range, 4-37 years), there was a low rate of recurrence and minimal long-term serious health consequences or adverse events. Because SO may be a lifelong condition and because chlorambucil therapy may offer long-term, drug-free remission, this treatment may be worth considering early in the decision-making process for severe sight-threatening disease.

Uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons with CD4+ T-lymphocyte count over 200 cells/mL.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has altered the course of disease for persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus by elevating CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels. Changes in the spectrum of systemic diseases encountered in human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals are reported in the general medical literature. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus, who presented with uveitis when the peripheral CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was over 200 cells/µL. METHODS: Standardized data collection at seven tertiary-referral inflammatory eye disease clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature anatomic classification and descriptors, cause of uveitis, and visual acuity RESULTS: Peripheral CD4+ T cell counts varied between 207 and 1777 (median = 421) cells/µL at the time of diagnosis of uveitis. Uveitis was classified anatomically as anterior (47.5%), intermediate (6.6%), anterior/intermediate (16.4%), posterior (14.8%) and pan (14.8%). Specific causes of uveitis included infections (34.4%), with syphilis responsible for 16.4% of all cases, and defined immunological disorders (27.0%); no cause for the inflammation was identified in 34.4% of persons. Visual acuity was better than 6/15 in 66.7% and 6/60 or worse in 11.8% of 93 eyes at presentation, and better than 6/15 in 82.4% and 6/60 or worse in 8.8% of 34 eyes at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Both infectious and non-infectious forms of uveitis occur in individuals who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus and have preserved or restored peripheral CD4+ T cell levels. Individuals who are human immunodeficiency virus-positive and present with uveitis should be evaluated in the same way all patients with uveitis are assessed.

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.

Predictors of Therapy Success in Weekly Adalimumab for Refractory Uveitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To determine predictors of treatment success after dose escalation of adalimumab, including measurement of anti-adalimumab antibodies as a predictor of success DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study SETTING: Single-center academic institution STUDY POPULATION: Patients with noninfectious uveitis who were inadequately controlled or developed recurrent disease on biweekly adalimumab and required dose escalation or therapy modification OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Patients who had anti-adalimumab antibodies checked with resultant low to intermediate levels were compared to patients who had no testing performed prior to adalimumab dose escalation. Of note, patients with testing and resultant high levels of anti-adalimumab antibodies were not escalated. Predictors of escalation success and utility of antibody testing prior to escalation were analyzed using Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Treatment success defined as anterior chamber grade ≤0.5+ cell, topical corticosteroids ≤1 drop/day, oral prednisone ≤5 mg/day, resolution of macular edema, and resolution of angiographic signs of inflammation without any addition or escalation of therapy. RESULTS: 24 patients had antibodies tested with low to intermediate levels (average: 32.3 ng/mL, range: 0 - 154), while 41 did not have antibody testing. A greater treatment success rate post escalation was observed among the "low antibody" group compared to the "no testing" group (HR: 2.63, standard error: 1.19, p=0.031, 95% CI 1.09 - 6.37). Among the entire cohort, patients with panuveitis (n = 14) had a lower treatment success rate compared to the reference of anterior uveitis (n = 26) (HR: 0.09, standard error: 0.11, p = 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 - 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low anti-adalimumab antibodies had a greater treatment success compared to patients in whom antibodies were not checked. This suggests a utility to checking antibodies prior to dose escalation and that low levels of antibodies may confer a success advantage. Overall, patients with panuveitis had a lower rate of success after escalation while patients with anterior uveitis patients had a very high rate of success suggesting that certain disease characteristics may guide clinicians when determining who to escalate versus changing therapy.

The Humira in Ocular Inflammations Taper (HOT) Study.

PURPOSE: To assess factors that impact the risk of relapse in patients with noninfectious uveitis (NIU) who undergo adalimumab tapering after achieving remission. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: In this multicenter study, patients with NIU were treated with adalimumab and subsequently tapered. Patient demographics, type of NIU, onset and duration of disease, the period of inactivity before tapering adalimumab, and the tapering schedule were collected. The primary outcome measures were independent predictors of the rate of uveitis recurrence after adalimumab tapering. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-eight patients were included (54.6% female) with a mean age of 34.3 years. The mean time between disease onset and initiation of adalimumab therapy was 35.2 ± 70.1 weeks. Adalimumab tapering was commenced after a mean of 100.8 ± 69.7 weeks of inactivity. Recurrence was observed in 39.6% of patients at a mean of 44.7 ± 61.7 weeks. Patients who experienced recurrence were significantly younger than those without recurrence (mean 29.4 years vs 37.5 years, P = .0005), and the rate of recurrence was significantly higher in younger subjects (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.88 per decade of increasing age, P = .01). The lowest rate of recurrence was among Asian subjects. A faster adalimumab taper was associated with an increased recurrence rate (HR = 1.23 per unit increase in speed, P < .0005). Conversely, a more extended period of remission before tapering was associated with a lower rate of recurrence (HR = 0.97 per 10-weeks longer period of inactivity, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: When tapering adalimumab, factors that should be considered include patient age, race, and duration of disease remission on adalimumab. A slow tapering schedule is advisable.

The Infectious Uveitis Treatment Algorithm Network (TITAN) Report 1-global current practice patterns for the management of Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella Zoster Virus anterior uveitis.

AIMS: To present current expert practice patterns and to formulate a consensus for the management of HSV and VZV AU by uveitis specialists worldwide. METHODS: A two-round online modified Delphi survey with masking of the study team was conducted. Responses were collected from 76 international uveitis experts from 21 countries. Current practices in the diagnosis and treatment of HSV and VZV AU were identified. A working group (The Infectious Uveitis Treatment Algorithm Network [TITAN]) developed data into consensus guidelines. Consensus is defined as a particular response towards a specific question meeting ≥75% of agreement or IQR ≤ 1 when a Likert scale is used. RESULTS: Unilaterality, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), decreased corneal sensation and diffuse or sectoral iris atrophy are quite specific for HSV or VZV AU from consensus opinion. Sectoral iris atrophy is characteristic of HSV AU. Treatment initiation is highly variable, but most experts preferred valacyclovir owing to simpler dosing. Topical corticosteroids and beta-blockers should be used if necessary. Resolution of inflammation and normalisation of IOP are clinical endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached on several aspects of diagnosis, choice of initial treatment, and treatment endpoints for HSV and VZV AU. Treatment duration and management of recurrences varied between experts.

The Infectious Uveitis Treatment Algorithm Network (TITAN) Report 2-global current practice patterns for the management of Cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis.

AIMS: To present current practice patterns in the diagnosis and management of Cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis (CMV AU) by uveitis experts worldwide. METHODS: A two-round modified Delphi survey with masking of the study team was performed. Based on experience and expertise, 100 international uveitis specialists from 21 countries were invited to participate in the survey. Variation in the diagnostic approaches and preferred management of CMV AU was captured using an online survey platform. RESULTS: Seventy-five experts completed both surveys. Fifty-five of the 75 experts (73.3%) would always perform diagnostic aqueous tap in suspected CMV AU cases. Consensus was achieved for starting topical antiviral treatment (85% of experts). About half of the experts (48%) would only commence systemic antiviral treatment for severe, prolonged, or atypical presentation. The preferred specific route was ganciclovir gel 0.15% for topical treatment (selected by 70% of experts) and oral valganciclovir for systemic treatment (78% of experts). The majority of experts (77%) would commence treatment with topical corticosteroid four times daily for one to two weeks along with antiviral coverage, with subsequent adjustment depending on the clinical response. Prednisolone acetate 1% was the drug of choice (opted by 70% of experts). Long-term maintenance treatment (up to 12 months) can be considered for chronic course of inflammation (88% of experts) and those with at least 2 episodes of CMV AU within a year (75-88% of experts). CONCLUSIONS: Preferred management practices for CMV AU vary widely. Further research is necessary to refine diagnosis and management and provide higher-level evidence.

Do not discount the diagnosis of VKH based on race: self-reported race and ethnicity of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in a predominantly white population.

BACKGROUND: We examined the racial and ethnic distribution of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) in a Midwestern US population through a retrospective chart review of patients with VKH seen in a tertiary referral centre between 2012 and 2017. All patients were diagnosed by one uveitis specialist (DAG). We identified 32 patients with VKH seen during this time period. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.7 ± 15.7 years, 7 were male, 25 female. Mean follow-up was 36.7 ± 21.7 months. Nine patients reported themselves as White non-Hispanic, (28.1%), 9 as Black/African-American (28.1%), 2 as Asian (6.3%) and 9 as Hispanic or Latino (28.1%). Three patients (9.4%) were of Middle-Eastern origin. The 2010 census results for race and ethnicity in the state of Illinois were: 71.5% White, 14.5% Black/African-American, 4.6% Asian, and 6.7% as Some Other Race. From the total population 15.8% reported themselves as Hispanic or Latino (of any race). CONCLUSIONS: VKH was much more frequent among white non-Hispanic patients (28.1%) and Black/African-American patients (28.1%) in our patient population than in previous reports from the US (3-14% and 4-23% respectively). While Hispanic patients in this series were over represented in the VKH population compared with the overall census data, the percentage of VKH patients in this series who were White non-Hispanic and Hispanic was the same. The diagnosis of VKH should be considered in any patient with the appropriate clinical features, regardless of race or ethnicity.