Association of Ocular Adverse Events With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients in Abu Dhabi.

Importance: As vaccinations against COVID-19 continue, potential ocular adverse events should be reported in detail to increase awareness among the medical community, although typically, a causal relationship cannot be established definitively. Objective: To describe ocular adverse events that occur soon after receiving an inactivated COVID-19 vaccination (Sinopharm). Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series took place from September 2020 to January 2021 at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a tertiary referral center. Patients who reported ocular adverse events and presented within 15 days from the first of 2 doses of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine were analyzed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Each patient underwent Snellen best-corrected visual acuity that was then converted to logMAR, applanation tonometry, and biomicroscopic examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy. Color fundus photography was obtained with a conventional 9-field fundus photography camera or with a widefield fundus photography system. Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomographic angiography images were obtained. Sex, race, age, and clinical data were self-reported. Results: Nine eyes of 7 patients (3 male individuals) presenting with ocular complaints following COVID-19 vaccine were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 41.4 (9.3) years (range, 30-55 years); the mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.23 logMAR (range, 0-1 logMAR; approximate Snellen equivalent, 20/32). The mean time of ocular adverse event manifestations was 5.2 days (range, 1-10 days). One patient was diagnosed with episcleritis, 2 with anterior scleritis, 2 with acute macular neuroretinopathy, 1 with paracentral acute middle maculopathy, and 1 with subretinal fluid. Conclusions and Relevance: In this case series study of 7 patients, the timing of transient and ocular complications 5.2 days after vaccination with an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine supported an association with the ocular findings, but a causal relationship cannot be established from this study design.

Combination of Intravenous Methotrexate and Methylprednisolone Therapy in the Treatment of Severe Ocular Inflammatory Diseases.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous methotrexate and methylprednisolone in severe, sight-threatening ocular inflammatory conditions.Methods: This was a retrospective observational case series. Patients who had received intravenous methotrexate for ocular inflammation with at least 24 months of follow-up were included in the study.Results: Ten patients (20 eyes) were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 47.2 ± 17.7 (range:19-74). At 1-month follow-up visit, nine patients showed improvement and one patient failed treatment. At 12-month follow-up visit, all patients were in remission. Two patients were only on intravenous methotrexate infusions. At twenty-four-month follow-up visit, only one patient, in remission, was on intravenous methotrexate therapy. Leukopenia was the only adverse effect observed.Conclusion: Intravenous methotrexate and methylprednisolone infusions can be an effective method of treatment in patients with severe, sight-threatening ocular inflammatory conditions.

Escalation to Weekly Adalimumab for the Treatment of Ocular Inflammation.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of the escalation of adalimumab (ADA) dose for refractory ocular inflammatory diseases.Methods: A retrospective case series of 15 patients (29 eyes) diagnosed with ocular inflammatory disease, including uveitis and scleritis, which was not adequately controlled with standard, every other week ADA dosing, leading to an escalation to weekly dosing.Results: Ten of fifteen patients escalated to weekly ADA achieved control of their inflammation; neither of the two patients increased for control of cystoid macular edema (CME) had resolution and required regional corticosteroids. One patient discontinued weekly ADA due to serious infection. The median length of follow up was 12 months.Conclusion: Our series suggests that the escalation of ADA can be a useful strategy for treating recalcitrant ocular inflammation, but may not be adequate to treat refractory CME.

Cataract Surgery in the Setting of Scleritis.

Purpose: To report the clinical profile of cataract and its surgical management in a scleritis cohort from India.Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 39 eyes of 32 consecutive patients with scleritis who underwent cataract surgery in a tertiary eye care institute.Results: The mean age at presentation was 50.9 ± 11.1 years and 65.6% of the patients were female. Five patients (15.6%) were ≤ 40 years of age. Necrotizing scleritis (56.4%) was the most common subtype of scleritis in this cohort followed by diffuse anterior scleritis (28.2%), nodular scleritis (12.8%). The preferred incision for phacoemulsification was clear corneal in 30 eyes (77%). In the immediate post-operative period, four eyes (10.2%) developed severe corneal edema, one eye had descemet membrane detachment. Anterior chamber reaction was observed in 18 eyes (46.1%). Fifteen eyes (38.4%) developed raised intraocular pressure and two required surgical intervention after 3 months of cataract surgery. Early posterior capsular opacification was observed in 5 eyes (12.8%) and cystoid macular edema in 2 eyes (5.1%).Conclusion: In addition to providing a distinct pattern of cataract, index study showed that long-term control of scleral inflammation prior to the cataract surgery remains the primary requisite for the successful outcome.

Characterization and Management of Inflammatory Eye Disease in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Purpose: To assess the spectrum and treatment outcomes of inflammatory eye disease (IED) in subjects with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective chart review of 236 patients with HS seen for ophthalmic examination between 2013 and 2018.Results: Of 236 subjects with HS, 22 subjects (9.3%) were found to have IED. Seven of 22 subjects had more than one IED diagnosis. Anterior uveitis was the most common type of IED (40.9% of subjects with IED). Episcleritis, optic neuritis, keratitis, scleritis, intermediate and posterior uveitis, trochleitis, and dacryoadenitis were also observed. Of subjects with HS and IED, 59.1% did not have any other inflammatory or autoimmune disease that could explain the etiology of their IED. Eleven patients with IED were treated with systemic immunosuppression, with IED as the principal factor directing treatment in three patients.Conclusions: IED may be independently associated with HS and may benefit from systemic immunosuppression.

Effects of topical erythropoietin on healing experimentally-induced avascular scleral damage in a rabbit model.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of topical erythropoietin on the healing process of induced necrotizing scleritis and to evaluate the ocular side effects of this treatment modality in a rabbit model. Necrotizing scleritis was induced in 8 New Zealand albino rabbits. The animals were then randomly divided into one of two groups: a treated group administered a topical erythropoietin-containing cellulose-based gel every 8 h or a control group treated with a cellulose-based gel without erythropoietin every 8 h. The sizes of the lesions measured at different time points were compared between the groups. After three months, the rabbits' eyes were enucleated and histologically and immunohistochemically evaluated for angiogenesis and apoptosis. The lesions were completely vascularized in all eyes of the treated group and 50% of eyes of the control group. The mean interval from the induction of scleral necrosis to a complete improvement was 28 days in the treated group and 62.5 days in the control group (P = 0.04). Histological examination revealed that erythropoietin enhanced the improvement of necrotizing scleritis by stimulating angiogenesis and reducing apoptosis. Neovascularization of the cornea, iris, or retina was not observed in the treated group. We observed a significantly faster recovery to complete improvement of necrotizing scleritis in rabbit eyes treated with erythropoietin compared to those of the control group. Treated eyes had a higher rate of complete healing and had no ocular safety concerns. This therapeutic modality represents a promising treatment for scleral necrosis following various types of ocular surgery.

Comparison Between Methotrexate and Mycophenolate Mofetil Monotherapy for the Control of Noninfectious Ocular Inflammatory Diseases.

PURPOSE: To compare mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to methotrexate (MTX) as corticosteroid-sparing therapy for ocular inflammatory diseases. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of cohort study data. METHODS: Participants were identified from the Systemic Immunosuppressive Therapy for Eye Diseases Cohort Study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained via medical record review. The study included 352 patients who were taking single-agent immunosuppression with MTX or MMF at 4 tertiary uveitis clinics. Marginal structural models (MSM)-derived statistical weighting created a virtual population with covariates and censoring patterns balanced across alternative treatments. With this methodological approach, the results estimate what would have happened had none of the patients stopped their treatment. Survival analysis with stabilized MSM-derived weights simulated a clinical trial comparing MMF vs MTX for noninfectious inflammatory eye disorders. The primary outcome was complete control of inflammation on prednisone ≤10 mg/day, sustained for ≥30 days. RESULTS: The time to success was shorter (more favorable) for MMF than MTX (hazard ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.99). Adjusting for covariates, the proportion achieving success was higher at every point in time for MMF than MTX from 2 to 8 months, then converges at 9 months. The onset of corticosteroid-sparing success took more than 3 months for most patients in both groups. Outcomes of treatment (MMF vs MTX) were similar across all anatomic sites of inflammation. The incidence of stopping therapy for toxicity was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, on average, MMF may be faster than MTX in achieving corticosteroid-sparing success in ocular inflammatory diseases.

Clinical significance of ocular manifestations in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: association with sinonasal involvement and damage.

Ocular involvement is present in 50-60% of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients and can affect any part of the ocular globe. The present study describes ophthalmologic manifestations, association with systemic symptoms, disease activity and damage in GPA. A cross-sectional study was conducted including patients with GPA who underwent rheumatologic and ophthalmologic evaluation. Demographics, comorbidities, ophthalmologic symptoms, serologic markers, radiographic studies, disease activity and damage were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation, univariable logistic regression analyses, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed. Fifty patients were included, 60% female, the median age was 56 years, disease duration 72.5 months. Nineteen (38%) patients had ocular manifestations at GPA diagnosis, scleritis being the most frequent; 27 (54%) patients presented ocular involvement during follow-up, repeated scleritis and dacryocystitis being the most common manifestations. Concomitant ophthalmic and sinonasal involvement was present in 12 (24%). Ocular and ENT damage occurred in 58% and 70%, respectively. Epiphora and blurred vision were the most frequent symptoms; scleromalacia and conjunctival hyperemia (27%) the most frequent clinical abnormalities. Ocular involvement at diagnosis was associated with concomitant ocular and sinonasal involvement at follow-up (OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.17-19.01, p = 0.01). Ocular involvement at follow-up was associated with age at GPA diagnosis (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99, p = 0.03), VDI (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.61, p = 0.02), and ENT damage (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.37-20.13, p = 0.01). In GPA, ocular involvement is frequent, therefore, non-ophthalmologist clinicians should be aware of this manifestation to reduce the risk of visual morbidity and organ damage.

Atypical posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal melanoma.

We report a case of atypical posterior scleritis mimicking amelanotic choroidal melanoma. A 30-year-old healthy Filipino man, with a history of painless subacute loss of vision in his left eye over 5 months, was referred to our institute for further workup and management. On examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 20/200. Anterior segment examination yielded unremarkable results, with injected conjunctiva and quiet episcleral blood vessels, while fundus examination revealed non-pigmented nasal choroidal mass, with significant subretinal fluid resembling amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Right eye examination yielded unremarkable results. The patient was diagnosed with atypical posterior scleritis, and treated with oral steroids for 2 weeks, with no improvement. A periocular steroid was then injected to the left eye, causing dramatic reduction in choroidal mass size, and complete resolution of subretinal fluid. The visual acuity improved to 20/28.5 one month after the injection. Timely treatment was crucial for minimizing vision-threatening complications.

The eye involvement in monogenic autoinflammatory diseases: literature review and update.

Monogenic autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are rare entities characterised by improper activation of the innate immune system. This in turn determines recurrent episodes of systemic inflammation characterised by fever, which is variously combined with a wide range of inflammatory manifestations involving the skin, joints, serous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system. As shown by research efforts conducted during the last decade, the eye is not exempt from the systemic inflammatory process and may be involved in almost all of the most frequent AIDs, with several distinct peculiarities. Ocular affections may severely impact patients' quality of life due to orbital pain, impairment of visual acuity, and/ or long-term, sight-threatening complications. Consequently, in the context of a multidisciplinary team, ophthalmologists should be aware of ocular manifestations related to these disorders as they may have a dominant diagnostic weight in patients with a challenging presentation as well as a salient role in therapeutic choice in sight-threatening situations. This review describes a variety of aspects of ophthalmologic involvement in AIDs, looking at both well-recognised eye manifestations as well as rarely reported ocular presentations, with a particular focus on the recent literature.

Rituximab Induction and Maintenance Treatment in Patients with Scleritis and Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener's).

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) induction and maintenance treatment for patients with scleritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), Wegener's. METHODS: Nine patients (12 eyes) with scleritis with GPA who did not respond to corticosteroids and more than one immunosuppressive agent who received ongoing maintenance RTX treatment were identified. Demographics and outcome measures were recorded. RESULTS: Median follow-up time of 30 months (range, 15 to 87 months). All 12 eyes achieved remission during the RTX maintenance period with a median time in remission of 14 months (range, 5-76 months), and median interval between RTX initiation and inactive disease of 5 months (range, 2-8 months). Two eyes in two patients relapsed. One received steroid eye drops, and the other received a short-term increased dose of intravenous corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: RTX was effective as an induction and maintenance treatment in our small cohort of patients with GPA-associated scleritis.

Ocular Emergencies: Red Eye.

"Red eye" is used as a general term to describe irritated or bloodshot eyes. It is a recognizable sign of an acute/chronic, localized/systemic underlying inflammatory condition. Conjunctival injection is most commonly caused by dryness, allergy, visual fatigue, contact lens overwear, and local infections. In some instances, red eye can represent a true ocular emergency that should be treated by an ophthalmologist. A comprehensive assessment of red eye conditions is required to preserve the patients visual function. Severe ocular pain, significant photophobia, decreased vision, and history of ocular trauma are warning signs demanding immediate ophthalmological consultation.

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis and episcleritis associated with poorly controlled ulcerative colitis.

A man aged 56 years with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) status postsubtotal colectomy was hospitalised with fevers, dry cough, eye redness and a new bloody, mucoid rectal discharge. 2 months prior to admission, the dermatologist had started him on dapsone for subcorneal pustular dermatosis but did not recognise that he had recently self-discontinued mesalamine enemas, inducing a flare of his UC. After a thorough inpatient evaluation, including flexible sigmoidoscopy, active UC involving the rectal stump was determined to be driving his dermatological and ophthalmological findings. By reinstituting mesalamine enemas, control of his UC was achieved and the extraintestinal manifestations of his inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) resolved. This case illustrates the importance of careful history taking and of early recognition of extraintestinal manifestations of IBD in order to appropriately target treatment and prevent unnecessary morbidity.

Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent Use in Necrotizing Scleritis.

PURPOSE: In this case report, we describe the successful implantation of multiple trabecular micro-bypass iStents in a patient with necrotizing scleritis. DESIGN: The study design is a case report. PARTICIPANTS: The participant was a patient who underwent multiple micro-bypass iStent surgery. METHODS: A 71-year-old man with primary open-angle glaucoma, diagnosed with necrotizing scleritis and treated with steroids consequently resulting in significantly elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye. RESULTS: Following uncomplicated surgery, IOP was reduced from 42 to 12 mm Hg 18 months after surgery on 2 drops and prednisone 40 mg daily CONCLUSIONS:: iStents may be considered as a possible intervention to lower IOP in patients with necrotizing scleritis in whom traditional glaucoma surgery is challenging or contraindicated.

Rituximab in the Treatment of Refractory Noninfectious Scleritis.

PURPOSE: To describe the outcomes of the use of rituximab in the treatment of refractory noninfectious scleritis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Review of the medical charts of patients with noninfectious scleritis refractory to conventional immunomodulatory therapy who were seen at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution between 2005 and 2015. The primary outcome measure in this study was steroid-free remission. Secondary outcomes were favorable response (decrease in scleritis activity score) and decrease in steroid dependence. RESULTS: There were 15 patients, with a mean follow-up duration of 34 months. Fourteen patients (93.3%) showed a clinical improvement, with 13 (86.6%) achieving a scleritis activity score of zero at 6 months. To date, 2 patients continue to enjoy durable drug-free remission (28 and 32 months follow-up). There was only 1 adverse effect recorded (infusion hypotension) requiring cessation of rituximab. CONCLUSION: Rituximab can be an effective treatment modality for recalcitrant noninfectious scleritis and, in some, can result in long-term durable drug-free remission.

NODULAR POSTERIOR SCLERITIS: Clinico-Sonographic Characteristics and Proposed Diagnostic Criteria.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and ultrasound features and outcomes of a series of nodular posterior scleritis. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of 11 consecutive patients with nodular posterior scleritis. Patient demographics, ocular and systemic findings, ultrasound features, and final anatomical and visual outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: There were 9 females and 2 males (11 eyes) with mean age at presentation of 57 years (range, 30-84 years). Underlying systemic inflammatory disease was present in 73%. Symptoms included pain in 73% and blurred vision in 45%. A solitary amelanotic mass without the presence of lipofuscin was found in all cases. Associated ocular features included retinal pigment epithelial changes (67%), intraocular inflammation (55%), subretinal fluid (50%), macular edema (50%), and choroidal folds (30%). B-mode ultrasound showed a sclerochoroidal mass with high internal reflectivity (100%) of mean elevation of 4.1 mm. There was nodular thickening of the sclera (100%) and fluid in Tenon space or "T" sign (36%). A complete regression of the nodule after the treatment was observed only in 1 patient (11%) and partial regression in 4 patients (44%). CONCLUSION: Nodular posterior scleritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a single amelanotic choroidal mass showing high internal reflectivity on ultrasound B-scan. It can produce intraocular inflammation in 50% of the cases and may be painless in 25%. It has a high association with a systemic underlying disease.

Conjunctival Sensation in Scleritis.

PURPOSE: To investigate conjunctival sensation in patients with scleritis. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with scleritis. Conjunctival sensation was tested by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in four quadrants of the bulbar conjunctiva plus the area(s) of active or previously active inflammation; sensation was compared with the contralateral eye. RESULTS: Of 28 patients with scleritis, nine had active scleritis and 19 had inactive scleritis. Eleven patients had a systemic autoimmune condition and five had infectious scleritis. The mean conjunctival sensation score of areas of inactive scleritis was significantly less than that of corresponding normal areas in the contralateral eye (p<0.001). Among patients with presumed herpetic scleritis, conjunctival sensation was significantly lower in the affected eye than in the unaffected eye (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival sensation is decreased in areas of previously active inflammation from scleritis. Eyes with herpetic scleritis had reduced conjunctival sensation, even in areas without previous active inflammation.

Uveitis.

Multidisciplinary management in the diagnosis and management of patients with ocular inflammatory disease is often critical. The workup of uveitis or scleritis may reveal an underlying systemic disease. Recognition of inflammation by the primary care physician can facilitate prompt referral to a uveitis specialist and improve patient outcomes. The primary care physician can assist the ophthalmologist in monitoring for potential side effects of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, including the newer biologic agents. The ophthalmologist in turn can assist the primary care physician in recognizing that active uveitis may suggest incomplete control of preexisting conditions.