Uveitis following the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection: a possible association.

Abstract

PURPOSE\nTo describe uveitis cases following the BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThis is a multicenter, retrospective study. Vaccine related-uveitisdiagnosis was supported by the classification of the World Health Organization Adverse Drug Terminology and the Naranjo criteria.\n\n\nRESULTS\nTwenty-one patients (23 eyes) with a mean age of 51.3 years (23-78 years) were included. Eight /21 patients had a known history of uveitis, the median time from previous to current attack was 1 year (0.5-15 years). There were 21 anterior uveitis cases, two with bilateral inflammation. Eight cases occurred post first and 13 post second vaccination. All but 3 presented as mild to moderate disease. Two patients developed multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) following the second vaccination. Mean time between vaccination to uveitis onset was 7.5 ± 7.3 days (1-30 days). At final follow-up, complete resolution was achieved in all but two eyes, which showed significant improvement. One case of severe anterior uveitis developed vitritis and macular edema following second vaccination, which completely resolved following an intravitreal dexamethasone injection.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nUveitis may develop after the administration of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The most common complication was mild to moderate anterior uveitis, while less frequent, MEWDS can also occur.