Ocular Immunology and Inflammation

INTRODUCTION: Accurate diagnosis and timely management are vital for favorable uveitis outcomes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promise in medical decision-making, particularly in ophthalmology. Yet, the diagnostic precision and management advice from AI-based uveitis chatbots lack assessment. METHODS: We appraised diagnostic accuracy and management suggestions of an AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, versus five uveitis-trained ophthalmologists, using 25 standard cases aligned with new Uveitis Nomenclature guidelines...

AIMS: To detect macrophage-like cells (MLCs) in uveitis patients and describe their characteristics compared to healthy subjects by using en face SS-OCTA. METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with "active" uveitis and 11 healthy participants underwent 6 macular scans of 6×6mm using SS-OCTA. The 3μm en face OCT slabs on inner limiting membrane were used to visualize the MLCs. RESULTS: In healthy subjects there was an average of 478...

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PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course and evaluate treatment of ocular surface changes in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS: Multiple markers of ocular surface dryness were evaluated in 16 patients on ICI therapy. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to determine the significant change in the initial and final ocular surface indices. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the eyes demonstrated worsening Schirmer I scores; 29% showed an increase in lissamine green staining...

PURPOSE: To describe the distribution, clinical findings, treatment, complications, and visual outcomes of pediatric uveitis at a tertiary referral ophthalmic center. METHODS: The medical records of all patients ≤18 years diagnosed with and managed as uveitis from August 2016 to August 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients, 52.6% were female, and the mean age at the onset was 10.5 ± 4...

PURPOSE: As a potentially sight-threatening disease with ocular, systemic, and treatment-related complications, uveitis diminishes quality of life (QOL) and affects psychosocial well-being. This review summarizes the existing tools for evaluating psychosocial well-being and/or QOL in patients with uveitis, explores the biological and non-biological factors affecting psychosocial well-being and/or QOL, and proposes future directions for incorporating these tools into clinical practice...

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and multimodal imaging features of sympathetic ophthalmia in the acute and chronic phases. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with sympathetic ophthalmia seen at a tertiary referral center. Charts, imaging studies, and histopathological specimens were reviewed. The clinical features and multimodal imaging in the sympathizing eye were analyzed by sorting features into those seen in the acute and chronic phase...

PURPOSE: This study focused on the prevalence, unique features, and required treatment of steroid-dependent Posner-Schlossman syndrome (SD-PSS), and analyzed the outcome of 2% Ganciclovir and gradual decrement steroid combination therapy in SD-PSS patients. METHODS: Retrospective comparative and interventional study. SD-PSS was defined as PSS patients with continuous steroid use for over 3 months and relapsed within 2 weeks after steroid withdrawal or tapered dosage...

PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral panuveitis in an 11-year-old girl with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) due to CTLA4 haploinsufficiency. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old girl developed cervical adenopathy, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia consistent with Evan's Syndrome. She was subsequently diagnosed with autosomal dominant CTLA4 haploinsuffciency and treated with immunosuppressants. Ocular symptoms developed 6 years later when she complained of blurry vision and photophobia...

PURPOSE: To document the demographic profile of the SHAPU outbreak amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A multicentric cross-sectional study of the 2021 SHAPU outbreak during the second phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were diagnosed with SHAPU from August to December 2021, 77 (57%) were children <16 years, males 54.8% and 34.8% had direct physical contact with white moths and 41.5% had severe type of SHAPU...

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnosis and clinical features of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2017 to March 2019), 1/561 (0.18%) new patient was diagnosed with TINU. During the pandemic (March 2020 to March 2022), 15/581 (2.58%) new patients were diagnosed with TINU. We found a significant increase in TINU cases during the pandemic (P=0...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with non-infectious uveitis treated with 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide insert (FAi) for up to 36 months in clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective study conducted at a single uveitis center. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 39 patients were included. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) remained stable until month 36 after FAi implantation (61...

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and demographic characteristics and associated factors leading to bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with BAIT syndrome was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of BAIT were identified. The median age at presentation was 53 years; 80% of the patients were female. Twenty-six patients (74%) had recent histories of systemic antibiotic treatment...

PURPOSE: We describe a case of intraocular inflammation and palpable purpura in a patient with Pasteurella multocida pneumonia. METHODS: A 75-year-old pseudophakic woman with type-2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complained of lower limb palpable purpura and right vision loss of five-day duration. On admission, right visual acuity was hand motion. Slit-lamp examination disclosed severe conjunctival and ciliary injection, corneal oedema, 3-mm hypopyon with heavy fibrin accumulation and blood clots, and synechiae to the IOL...

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequent multimodal imaging features in posterior syphilitic uveitis. PURPOSE: Syphilis infection has re-emerged as a global health problem. Multimodal imaging approach has been proposed for diagnosis and follow-up; there are not previous reports dedicated to the anatomic and visual outcomes in patients diagnosed with ocular syphilis and concomitant HIV infection. METHODS: All demographic information was recovered; a complete ophthalmological examination and multimodal imaging evaluation (retinal fluorescein angiography (FA), autofluorescence (AF), optical coherence tomography (OCT)) were performed on initial visit and 1 month after antibiotic therapy...

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the first epidemic of Rift Valley Fever retinitis in Rwanda and to report novel imaging findings and a possible role for corticosteroids. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients who presented with presumed Rift Valley Fever retinitis at the Rwanda Charity Eye Hospital over a period of 4 months in 2022. Multimodal images are reviewed including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, color, infrared, red-free, and autofluorescence photography...

PURPOSE: To describe the frequency of uveitis recurrences in patients with non-infectious uveitis treated with the biosimilar infliximab-dyyb. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Records of uveitis patients treated with the biosimilar infliximab-dyyb between 2016 and 2022 at two institutions were reviewed. Data extracted included patient demographics, diagnosis, previous originator infliximab use, additional immunosuppression medications, infliximab-dyyb use, reason for switch, disease activity, and follow-up time...

INTRODUCTION: Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a severe eye disease demanding swift treatment to prevent blindness. Early action involving antiviral medications and corticosteroids is crucial for optimal visual outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We present an ARN case series showcasing treatment experience and results. METHODOLOGY: Patients diagnosed with ARN based on SUN Working Group 2021 criteria were included; all underwent comprehensive eye exams, PCR analysis, and imaging...

PURPOSE: The goal of this study is to describe the clinical and laboratory outcomes of patients with syphilitic uveitis treated with 2 g intravenous Ceftriaxone daily on an outpatient treatment basis for 14 days, in the setting of the COVID pandemic and lack of hospitalization availability. METHODS: This study included a review of the clinical records from patients from January 2020 to December 2021 and who were then followed for 6 months at the Research Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in Ophthalmology of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Evandro Chagas (INI) FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to establish the degree of consensus among clinicians on descriptors of KP morphology. METHODS: A web-based exercise in which respondents associated KP descriptors, as identified through a scoping review of the published literature, to images from different disorders. Inter-observer agreement was assessed using the Krippendorff kappa alpha metric. RESULTS: Of the 76 descriptive terms identified by the scoping review, the most used included "mutton-fat" ( n  = 93 articles, 36%), "fine/dust" ( n  = 76, 29%), "stellate" ( n  = 40, 15%), "large" ( n  = 33, 12%), and "medium" ( n  = 33, 12%)...