Ariel Schlaen

Intraocular methotrexate can induce extended remission in some patients in noninfectious uveitis.

Purpose: To assess the outcomes of the intravitreal administration of methotrexate in uveitis. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective interventional case series of patients with noninfectious uveitis. Thirty-eight eyes of 30 patients were enrolled, including a total of 54 intravitreal injections of methotrexate at a dose of 400 µg in 0.1 mL. The primary outcome measure was visual acuity. Secondary outcome measures included control of intraocular inflammation and cystoid macular edema, time to relapse, development of adverse events, and levels of systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Methotrexate proved effective in controlling intraocular inflammation and improving vision in 30 of 38 eyes (79%). The side effect profile was good, with no reported serious ocular adverse events and only one patient having an intraocular pressure of >21 mmHg. Of the 30 eyes that responded to treatment, 8 relapsed, but 22 (73%) entered an extended period of remission, with the Kaplan–Meier estimate of median time to relapse for the whole group being 17 months. The eight eyes that relapsed were reinjected and all responded to treatment. One eye relapsed at 3 months, but 7 eyes again entered extended remission. Of the 14 patients on systemic therapy at the start of the study, 8 (57%) were able to significantly reduce this following intravitreal methotrexate injection. Conclusion: In patients with uveitis and uveitic cystoid macular edema, intravitreal MTX can effectively improve visual acuity and reduce cystoid macular edema and, in some patients, allows the reduction of immunosuppressive therapy. Some patients relapse at 3 to 4 months, but a large proportion (73%) enter an extended period of remission of up to 18 months. This larger study extends the results obtained from previous smaller studies suggesting the viability of intravitreal methotrexate as a treatment option in uveitis.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

BackgroundVogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is characterized by bilateral diffuse uveitis associated with auditory, neurological, and cutaneous signs and symptoms. VKH syndrome is a cell-mediated autoimmune disease against melanocytes. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) occurs in 15% of VKH patients and is associated with poor visual prognosis.CasesWe report on two patients with VKH syndrome and CNV that were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab.ObservationsOne of the VKH patients also had an extrafoveal CNV membrane and underwent multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in combination with laser photocoagulation, with subsequent improvement in visual acuity. The second had a subfoveal CNV that responded to a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.ConclusionIntravitreal bevacizumab may be a useful drug to treat CNV in eyes with VKH syndrome.

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 Kaposis 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.

Chronic postoperative mycobacterium gordonae endophthalmitis in a patient with phakic intraocular lens

Abstract Methods: Case description of a 34 year old woman with chronic granulomatous anterior uveitis following implantation of a phakic anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). Aqueous humor was processed for bacterial, fungal culture, and PCR analysis. Results: PCR for 16S ribosomal RNA universal primers was positive and Southern-blot for Propionibacterium spp was negative. Panfungal PCR was negative. Growth of a pigmented yellow colony was detected on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. The isolate was subsequently identified as Mycobacterium gordonae. The patient was treated for atypical mycobacteria as well as an intracameral injection of moxifloxacin, with resolution of inflammation and improvement in visual acuity. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of Mycobacterium gordonae chronic postoperative endophthalmitis, and of chronic endophthalmitis following phakic IOL surgery. PCR and cultures were invaluable in making the diagnosis.

Chronic Anterior Uveitis in Children

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the visual prognosis and remission rate of chronic anterior uveitis in pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective case series of children with chronic anterior uveitis treated in the University of Buenos Aires. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was defined according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria. Uveitis remission was defined according to SUN criteria. Results: There were 35 pediatric patients (61 eyes), mean age of uveitis onset was 7.69 ± 3 years, 60% were females and 74% had bilateral disease, median follow-up was 60 months (range: 12–192 months). JIA was more frequent in females (80.95 vs 21.43; p<0.0001) and oligoarthritis was the most common form. Remission rate was higher in males (HR = 4.99; 95% CI = 1.16–21.51; p = 0.031). More than 40 eyes remained with the same BCVA at 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions: Although remission was not common and only occurred after long-term follow-up, visual prognosis was good Received 30 August 2015; revised 6 March 2016; accepted 14 March 2016; published online 18 May 2016

Endogenous Histoplasma capsulatum endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient

Purpose To report on a case of Histoplasma capsulatum endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient. Methods A 30-year-old patient was admitted with floaters and vision impairment of 1 months duration. He had a history of adrenal insufficiency, together with nasal, septum, and soft palate lesions of 3 months; duration. Culture results from specimens of these lesions were positive for H capsulatum. He was human immunodeficiency virus negative and there was no evidence of immunodepression or history of immunosuppression. Fundus examination revealed multiple fluffy balls with a string of pearls appearance, 2+ vitreous haze, multiple foci of retinochoroiditis inferiorly in the peripheral retina, and a 6-disk area lesion of retinochoroiditis at the superotemporal periphery. Due to poor response to oral itraconazole, a vitrectomy was performed with an intraocular injection of amphotericin B 5 μg/0.1 mL and removal for a vitreous specimen for culture of bacteria and fungi. Results Vitreous specimen culture of the yeast at 28°C grew a white filamentous fungus colony, which was again cultured in a brain heart infusion agar medium, where it developed hyaline septate hyphae with microconidia and circular macroconidia with double wall, which was stained with a lactophenol dye at microscopic examination. The macroscopic morphology was consistent with H capsulatum. Conclusions Although endogenous H capsulatum endophthalmitis is a rare entity, it should be considered as a possible etiology even in apparently immunocompetent hosts, especially in patients with history of disseminated disease.

Hess Lancaster screen test with the head tilted: A useful test in the diagnosis of bilateral fourth nerve palsies

Purpose To introduce Hess Lancaster screen test performed with the head tilted as a new ancillary test to help in the diagnosis of bilateral superior oblique (SO) nerve paresis. Methods Three patients with clinical diagnosis of acquired bilateral fourth nerve paresis, three with clinical diagnosis of acquired unilateral fourth nerve paresis, and three normal subjects were tested with Hess Lancaster test in the nine positions of gaze with their heads straight and with their heads tilted to each side. Test results were compared and data were analyzed. Results Hess Lancaster test of all patients with bilateral SO palsy performed with their heads straight showed unilateral SO underaction, but when the test was carried out with the head tilted to each side findings were positive for ipsilateral SO underaction and ipsilateral hypertropia for both sides. In those patients with unilateral SO palsy, Lancaster test was positive for SO underaction when the head was in straight position and when it was tilted to the side of the paretic muscle, but it was almost normal with the head tilted to the opposite side. Normal subjects did not show any abnormality regardless of the head position. Conclusions Bilateral SO palsies are sometimes difficult to diagnose for they might be masked. Hess Lancaster test carried out with the head tilted to both sides could help in the diagnosis of bilateral SO palsies.

Adalimumab Treatment in Patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome and safety of adalimumab in patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease. Methods: VKH patients treated with adalimumab seen at the University of Buenos Aires were reviewed. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, anterior segment inflammation, optic nerve inflammation (ONI), steroid sparing effect, number of immunosuppressives, and relapses. Results: In total, 14 VKH patients, mean age 23.07 ± 8 years; median of adalimumab treatment 10 months, were analyzed. At start of adalimumab treatment (baseline), median of corticosteroid dose was 20 mg and at 6 months, 4 mg. At baseline, 11 patients were on immunosuppressive treatment and at 6 months only four continued with immunosuppressive therapy. In the 28 eyes, the median of active inflammation was 2 at baseline and 0 after 6 months on adalimumab. Conclusions: Treatment with adalimumab is an effective and safe option, reducing the need for oral corticosteroid and conventional immunosuppressive therapy.

Bilateral Acute Retinal Necrosis: Clinical Features and Outcomes in a Multicenter Study.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe clinical features and outcome in bilateral acute retinal necrosis (BARN). Methods: Observational retrospective longitudinal review of ocular findings. Results: Thirty eyes of 15 patients (age 44.1 ± 15.8). Delay of involvement between eyes was 57.2 ± 105.2 months (median 3, range 0.5–360). Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 was the most frequent (20 eyes, 66.6%), followed by HSV-2 (five eyes, 16.7%) and varicella zoster virus (VZV, four eyes, 13.3%). Visual acuity worsened in 7 (23%) eyes, improved in 4 (13%), and remained stable in 19 (63%). Major complications included retinal detachment (11 eyes, 36%), optic atrophy (11 eyes, 33%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (four eyes, 13.3%), neovascular glaucoma (four eyes, 13.3%), phthisis bulbi (three eyes, 10%). Symptoms-to-referral average time was 2.7 ± 1.0 weeks (range 1–4). Conclusions: In our study BARN was associated with severe visual outcome and high rate of ocular complications. Although BARN is a rare disease, the course is aggressive, regardless prompt referral in tertiary-care uveitis centers.

Regional Differences in the Clinical Manifestation of Ocular Toxoplasmosis between the Center and Northeast of Argentina

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with active episodes of ocular toxoplasmosis from three provinces, Misiones, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis from three databases of four tertiary referral uveitis centers were reviewed. Collected data included presentation of the retinochoroiditis, location of the active lesions, associated inflammatory ocular signs and complications. Results: Three hundred thirty-four patients were included in this study. Bilateral involvement of the ocular disease occurred in 26 patients in Misiones (35.14%), 21 patients (12.8%) in Santa Fe, and 9 patients in Buenos Aires (9.4%) (p < 0.001). Extensive retinitis was observed in 49 patients (66.2%) in Misiones, 39 patients (23.8%) in Santa Fe, and 12 patients (12.5%) in Buenos Aires (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that there are differences in the clinical characteristics of ocular toxoplasmosis in patients from Misiones, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires.