Soon-Phaik Chee

Clinical Features of Cytomegalovirus Anterior Uveitis in Immunocompetent Patients

PURPOSE To describe the clinical presentation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients. DESIGN Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS HIV-negative patients with anterior uveitis associated with elevated intraocular pressure (hypertensive anterior uveitis) seen at the Singapore National Eye Centre had their aqueous analyzed for viral deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction, and their records were reviewed for demographic data, ocular findings, laboratory results, and treatment. RESULTS Aqueous was obtained from 105 of 106 eligible eyes. Twenty-four eyes demonstrated positive results for CMV (22.8%). Eighteen eyes had Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS; 75%) at presentation, five eyesba had Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI; 20.8%), and one eye had a presumed herpetic anterior uveitis. Twelve of the 24 eyes were treated with ganciclovir. Of the 12 who completed treatment, all responded clinically, and their aqueous demonstrated negative results for CMV on repeat testing. However, nine had recurrences within eight months of stopping treatment and required further courses of ganciclovir. The 81 CMV-negative eyes included 30 with PSS, 11 with FHI, 27 with uveitic glaucomas of unknown cause, and 13 with presumed herpetic anterior uveitis. CONCLUSIONS CMV anterior uveitis is not uncommon in our immunocompetent patients and it may present as a recurrent acute or chronic inflammation, resembling PSS, herpetic anterior uveitis, or FHI.

Randomized clinical trial of a new dexamethasone delivery system (surodex) for treatment of post-cataract surgery inflammation

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety of Surodex Drug Delivery System (Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) containing dexamethasone 60 micrograms, for use in cataract surgery, and to compare its anti-inflammatory efficacy with conventional dexamethasone 0.1% eyedrops. DESIGN Randomized, masked, and partially controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS Sixty eyes of 60 Asian patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation were examined. Of these, 28 eyes of 28 patients served as control eyes. Patients were stratified for age and presence of diabetes mellitus. INTERVENTION Surodex was inserted in the anterior chamber of 32 eyes at the conclusion of surgery. These eyes received placebo eyedrops four times a day after surgery for 4 weeks. Control eyes received neither Surodex nor a placebo implant but were prescribed conventional 0.1% dexamethasone eyedrops four times a day for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anterior chamber cells and flare were clinically graded at the slit lamp. Anterior chamber flare was objectively assessed with the Kowa FM500 Laser Flare Meter (Kowa Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) for up to 3 months after surgery. Intraocular pressure and corneal endothelial specular microscopy with morphometric cell analysis were performed for up to 1 year after surgery. RESULTS Clinical slit-lamp assessment of anterior chamber flare and cells showed no difference between Surodex-treated eyes and dexamethasone eyedrop-treated eyes. Flare meter readings showed lower flare levels in the Surodex group at all postoperative visits compared with the dexamethasone eyedrop group. Flare reduction in the Surodex group reached statistical significance at days 4, 8, 15, and 30 after surgery. At 3 months, flare was reduced to preoperative levels in the Surodex group but was still raised in the dexamethasone eyedrop group. Five eyes in the dexamethasone eyedrop group required augmentation of steroids and were deemed therapeutic failures as opposed to one eye in the Surodex group. One patient in the dexamethasone eyedrop group developed postoperative open-angle glaucoma with profound visual field loss and optic disc cupping, resulting in hand movements vision. No significant difference in endothelial cell loss was noted between Surodex-inserted eyes and dexamethasone eyedrop-treated eyes for up to 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Intraocular placement of a single Surodex is a safe and effective treatment method to reduce intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery. There was no statistical difference in efficacy between Surodex and 0.1% dexamethasone eyedrops in reducing intraocular inflammation, as measured by clinical methods, while Surodex was clearly superior to eyedrops in reducing aqueous flare as objectively assessed with the laser flare meter.

Analysis of variation in success rates in conjunctival autografting for primary and recurrent pterygium

AIMS To evaluate the success rates of conjunctival autografting for primary and recurrent pterygium performed in a tertiary ophthalmic centre. METHODS The outcome of 139 cases with primary pterygia and 64 cases with recurrent pterygia who underwent excision with conjunctival autografting was retrospectively reviewed. Outcome was evaluated in terms of recurrence of pterygia onto the cornea. The recurrence rates were determined using Weibull survival functions, in a mixture model that included a component allowing for cure. The suitability of this model was verified using Turnbulls non-parametric method for interval censored data (1974). Estimated recurrence free probabilities were based on the fitted Weibull survival curves. RESULTS Mean follow up was 8.4 months in the primary group, and 9.5 months for the recurrent group. 29 out of 139 cases of primary pterygia recurred (20.8%) while 20 out of 64 cases in the recurrent group (31.2%) recurred. Recurrence rates varied widely among surgeons, ranging from 5% to 82%. Recurrence rates were inversely related to previous experience in performing conjunctival grafting. The recurrence free probability was 84% at 3 months, 73% at 1 year for primary pterygia, and 80% at 3 months, 67% at 1 year for recurrent pterygia. There was no statistical difference in recurrence rates between primary and recurrent groups (p= 0.80). CONCLUSION The success of conjunctival autografting for pterygium in this series varies widely, and may be related to a significant learning curve or differing surgical techniques for this procedure. This may account for the wide variation in reported success of this procedure in the ophthalmic literature.

Diagnosis of Tuberculous Uveitis: Clinical Application of an Interferon-gamma Release Assay

PURPOSE To determine the role of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) (Cellestis Inc., Carnegie, Australia) assay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) uveitis. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS The study included 157 patients with suspected TB uveitis seen over an 18-month period (August 1, 2006, to February 31, 2007) at the Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC) uveitis clinic. METHODS We identified all cases of suspected TB uveitis in the above-mentioned time period and reviewed all medical records of the cases. Clinical findings, type of treatment instituted, response to treatment, and results of investigations such as QFT, tuberculin skin test (TST), and chest x-rays were recorded. A novel method of using treatment response to determine the presumed diagnosis of TB was used to estimate the accuracy of QFT and TST. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) of the investigations were estimated. RESULTS QFT is not superior to the TST in sensitivity as a screening test or first-line study in TB-related uveitis; however, QFT is more specific than the TST in identifying infections by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Negative QFT tests should be interpreted with caution, because they do not exclude the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The new QFT is only slightly superior to the TST in the diagnosis of TB uveitis. Thus, there is an important role for interpreting the QFT together with the TST. This is the first and largest study of its kind to evaluate the use of QFT in the clinical diagnosis of TB uveitis.

Randomized clinical trial of Surodex steroid drug delivery system for cataract surgery: anterior versus posterior placement of two Surodex in the eye.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate safety and antiinflammatory efficacy of placing two Surodex (Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in the eye after cataract surgery in comparison with steroid eyedrops and to compare anterior versus posterior chamber placement. DESIGN Randomized, masked, controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS One hundred four eyes of 104 Asian patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation were examined. Of these, 33 eyes of 33 patients served as control eyes (group A). INTERVENTION Two Surodex pellets were inserted in the anterior chamber (AC) of 35 eyes (group B), and two Surodex pellets were inserted in the ciliary sulcus of 36 eyes (group C) at the conclusion of surgery. Control eyes received neither Surodex nor a placebo implant, but were prescribed conventional 0.1% dexamethasone eyedrops four times daily for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anterior chamber flare and cells were graded clinically at the slit lamp. Anterior chamber flare was assessed objectively with the Kowa FC500 Laser Flare Meter (Kowa Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Intraocular pressure and corneal endothelial specular microscopy with morphometric cell analysis were performed for up to 1 year after surgery. RESULTS Lower flare meter readings occurred in both Surodex groups at all postoperative visits, as compared with the dexamethasone eyedrop group, with statistical significance at days 4 (P = 0.001), 8 (P = 0.001), and 15 (P = 0.02). No difference in flare occurred between AC and ciliary sulcus placement. Clinical slit-lamp assessment of anterior chamber flare and cells showed no difference between Surodex-treated eyes and dexamethasone-treated eyes. Nine of 33 eyes (27.3%) in group A required steroid augmentation, as opposed to 4 of 71 eyes (5.6%) in groups B and C. Inflammatory symptoms were reduced in the Surodex-treated eyes, with statistical significance for ocular discomfort (P = 0.001), photophobia (P = 0.04), and lacrimation (P = 0.01). No complications occurred with Surodex-treated eyes, and no significant difference in endothelial cell loss was noted between Surodex-treated eyes and dexamethasone-treated eyes up to 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Intraocular placement of two Surodex is a safe and effective treatment method to reduce intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery and clearly is superior to eyedrops in reducing inflammatory symptoms and aqueous flare as measured with the laser flare meter. No difference in efficacy between AC placement and ciliary sulcus placement of Surodex was detected in this study.

Immunosuppressive therapy for ocular diseases.

Purpose of review To identify advances in immunosuppressive therapy of ocular diseases since 2007. Recent findings The biologics in current use include antitumour necrosis factor-α agents (infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab), cytokine receptor antibodies (daclizumab) and interferon-α2a. They are effective and comparatively well tolerated options in the treatment of refractory uveitis in both adults and children in the short term, except for etanercept. Daclizumab had a favourable outcome in treating birdshot chorioretinopathy but not in Behcets disease. The uncertainty of their long-term results, their high costs as well as the necessity for repeated intravenous infusions in the case of infliximab limit their widespread use. Mycophenolate mofetil is another efficacious, fairly well tolerated and less costly immunosuppressant. It has the additional advantage of an oral formulation. T cell inhibitors, cyclosporine and tacrolimus, were found to be useful steroid-sparing drugs in allergic eye disease and dry eyes. A number of studies on less invasive sustained ocular drug delivery systems, including episcleral implants, nanospheres, and cyclodextrin particles, were conducted on animals with encouraging results. Summary The armamentarium of immunosuppressive agents is constantly expanding and augurs well for the safe and effective treatment of ocular inflammation.

Capsular block syndrome: A case series.

Capsular block syndrome (CBS) or capsular bag distension syndrome has been described after cataract removal with in-the-bag placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the presence of an anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. Features of CBS include shallowing of the anterior chamber and an unexpected myopic overrefraction; occasionally, there is a persistent uveitis. The patient may be mistakenly diagnosed with pupil block glaucoma or endophthalmitis. We report 9 cases of CBS and their initial diagnoses and management. In 1 case, the capsular bag distention and anterior chamber shallowing are illustrated by ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis: outcome of treatment

Aim To determine the outcome of antiviral treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis. Methods A retrospective review of patients from Singapore National Eye Centre with CMV anterior uveitis diagnosed by aqueous polymerase chain reaction. Ganciclovir treatment consisted of systemic, topical, intravitreal injections or intravitreal implant. The main outcome measure was resolution of anterior chamber inflammation. Results 72 eyes of 70 patients were positive for CMV DNA. 35 eyes were treated (23 eyes with acute recurrent anterior uveitis and 12 eyes with chronic anterior uveitis). Eyes that did not respond or recurred with one treatment may receive another course of treatment. There were 47 treatment episodes, 36 (76.6%) of which resulted in a response. However, there were 27 (75.0%) episodes of recurrences after stopping treatment. Systemic and intravitreal ganciclovir and ganciclovir implant had good response rates but also had very high recurrence rates. Ganciclovir gel had moderate response rates, but its recurrence rates were also lower than those of the other modalities. Conclusions Ganciclovir gel had lower recurrence rates than the systemic ganciclovir and the implant and should be considered as an option for treatment of CMV anterior uveitis.

Prognostic Factors of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease in Singapore

PURPOSE To determine prognostic factors of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH). DESIGN Retrospective noninterventional. METHODS Chart review of VKH patients of Singapore National Eye Centre for age at onset (age), gender, race, presenting visual acuity (VA) and VA at one month after starting treatment, severity of inflammation, treatment regime, and hearing loss. Outcome measures were: VA, persistent inflammation, cataracts, glaucoma, macular lesions, chorioretinal degeneration, and vitiligo at three years after onset. RESULTS There were 134 eyes of 67 patients. Majority were Chinese (n = 53, 79.1%) and female (n = 40, 59.7%). Median duration of follow-up was 9.1 years (range, 3.0 to 53.6 years). Median age was 42.3 years (range, 5.4 to 70.9 years). Main prognostic factors were VA at one month, age, and treatment regime. Good VA at one month was associated with greater likelihood of good VA at three years (odds ratio [OR], 43.9; P = .02), less persistent inflammation (OR, 0.5; P = .006), cataract (OR, 0.10; P = .01), and chorioretinal degeneration (OR, 0.2; P = .04). Older age was associated with higher likelihood of cataract (OR, 1.1; P = .02), chorioretinal degeneration (OR, 1.1; P = .03), and vitiligo (OR, 1.1; P = .004). Early treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids resulted in less persistent inflammation (OR, 0.2; P = .04). Late high corticosteroid treatment was associated with greater risk of cataract (OR, 9.6; P = .03). CONCLUSION Good VA at one month, younger age at onset, and early treatment with high-dose corticosteroids were associated with better outcomes.

Group B Streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis: Case reports and review of the literature

PURPOSE To report five cases of group B Streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis (GBSEE) and to review the literature. DESIGN Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series and literature review. PATIENTS All patients with this condition treated at the Singapore National Eye Centre from 1994 through 2001. INTERVENTIONS Core or complete vitrectomy and intravitreal and systemic antibiotics. METHODS A review of the systemic and ocular characteristics and treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Visual outcome. RESULTS Group B Streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis developed in four patients after the onset of septic arthritis and in one patient with cervical epidural abscess after acupuncture, presenting as a diffuse endophthalmitis. Group B Streptococcus was isolated in the blood, vitreous, and joints. Despite the use of high-dose intravenous antibiotics within 72 hours of ocular presentation, intravitreal antibiotic injection, and vitrectomy (two eyes), all eyes lost light perception and became phthisical. A survey of the literature revealed that GBSEE is rare and that 17 cases have been reported since 1985. For purposes of analysis, four of these cases were excluded because of inadequate details and our five cases were included. Group B Streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis was found to arise from hematogenous spread from cutaneous sites of infection (16.7%), pharyngitis (11.1%), and pneumonia (11.1%). Septic arthritis (38.9%) and endocarditis (33.3%) were concomitant sites of infection along with endophthalmitis. The septic arthritis typically involved multiple joints. Four patients (22.2%) had diabetes mellitus and three had other underlying predisposing illness. Although most patients received intravenous (83.3%) and intravitreal (55.6%) antibiotics and four eyes underwent therapeutic vitrectomy, useful vision was preserved in only four eyes. Two patients died of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS Group B Streptococcus endogenous endophthalmitis is a devastating condition often associated with septic arthritis. The visual prognosis is poor, despite therapy.