Posterior segment involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus – A series from South India

Purpose: To report the spectrum of posterior segment manifestations and visual outcomes in a large series of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Retrospective study at a tertiary referral eye center in south India between 2016 and 2022. Results: Charts of 109 patients diagnosed to have SLE were retrieved from our medical database. Only nine cases of SLE (8.25%) had posterior segment involvement. The male: female ratio was 1:8. The mean age was 28 years. Unilaterality was the most common presentation in eight cases (88.89%). Lupus nephritis was the most common systemic presentation in five cases (55.56%). Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) positivity was seen in two cases (22.22%). Ocular manifestations included microangiopathy (cotton wool spots) in one case, occlusive retinal vasculitis with cotton wool spots in four cases (five eyes), optic disc edema with combined venous and arterial occlusion (one case), central retinal vein occlusion with cotton wool spots and hemorrhages (one case), macular edema (four cases), posterior scleritis with optic disc edema and exudative retinal detachment in the posterior pole (one case), and tubercular choroidal granuloma (one case). Treatment included systemic steroids, hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQS), and immunosuppression in all cases, blood thinners in two cases, and laser photocoagulation in four cases. HCQS?related retinal toxicity was not seen in any of the 109 cases. Ocular manifestation was the initial presentation of SLE in one case. Visual outcome was poor in three cases. Conclusion: Presence of posterior segment findings in cases with SLE may suggest a severe systemic disease. Early detection and aggressive treatment result in better visual outcomes. Ophthalmologists could play a vital role in guiding systemic therapy.

Tubercular posterior scleritis: A case report and review of literature

A 47-year-old female presented with optic disc oedema, peripapillary subretinal fluid and scattered areas of choroiditis. Her ultrasound B-scan showed sclerochoroidal thickening with widening of sub-Tenon space. Subsequent investigations revealed a positive Mantoux test and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest was suggestive of pulmonary involvement. She responded well to antitubercular treatment and systemic corticosteroid. A review of the literature was conducted to identify additional reports on similar cases and discussed. A high index of suspicion and appropriate laboratory work-up can aid in the diagnosis of tuberculous posterior scleritis.

Clinical profile of patients with posterior scleritis: A report from Eastern India

Purpose: This study aimed to report the clinical profile of patients with posterior scleritis at a tertiary eye center in Eastern India. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective case series of patients who were diagnosed as posterior scleritis between January 2010 and December 2014, with a follow-up period of at least 6 months. Results: The study included 18 patients of posterior scleritis with a mean age of 41.2 � 10.6 years (range: 26� years). With female preponderance (55.6%), majority of the posterior scleritis cases were unilateral (88.9%). Sixteen patients reported with diminution of vision, eleven patients (61.1%) had ocular pain on presentation, and five patients complained of headache. Concurrent anterior scleritis was found in three eyes (15%) with posterior scleritis. Choroidal folds and subretinal fluid at the posterior pole were the most common fundus findings and were seen in seven eyes (35%) each. No systemic association was detected in any patient even after extensive laboratory workup and multidisciplinary consultation. All patients received oral steroid, and 11 (61.1%) of them required intravenous pulse steroid therapy. Immunosuppressive was used in 6 (33.3%) patients, and oral azathioprine was the most common immunosuppressive used in the study. Recurrence was noted in eight eyes (40%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved to logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.06 � 0.051 at the final follow-up from 0.47 � 0.45 logMAR at presentation (P = 0.00608). Conclusion: Posterior scleritis is relatively rare but can occur without systemic involvement. Aggressive immunomodulatory therapy is required to treat vision-threatening condition.

Serous Retinal Detachment Following Laser Peripheral Iridotomy for the Angle Closure Secondary to Posterior Scleritis / 계명의대학술지

This study was aimed to report a case of serous retinal detachment following laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) for the treatment of angle closure secondary to posterior scleritis. A 55-year-old man with bilateral ocular pain, redness, and headache was referred to Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. At the initial examination, his visual acuity was 1.0 in the both eyes. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 25 mmHg in the right eye and 28 mmHg in the left eye. Slit lamp examination showed a shallow anterior chamber, which was found to be Shaffer grade I by gonioscopy. There were no specific findings in the fundus, except a slightly edematous disc margin in both eyes. LPI was performed on both eyes. Fourth day after LPI, the patient complained of a central scotoma and visual disturbance of the left eye, in which the visual acuity had decreased to 0.06. The optical coherence tomography showed serous retinal detachment at the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography revealed a focal leakage in the superotemporal area, as well as multiple hyperfluorescence lesions. Posterior scleritis of the left eye was diagnosed. Systemic steroid therapy was initiated and the area with the leakage was treated by focal laser photocoagulation. Two weeks later, the serous retinal detachment of the left eye resolved and visual acuity improved to 0.63. Laser peripheral iridotomy can exacerbate serous retinal detachment in patients with posterior scleritis that presented as acute angle closure.

A case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal malignancy.

To report a case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking a choroidal tumor. A 42‑year‑old lady with systemic hypertension presented with a 1‑week history of unilateral visual loss, pain and redness in her left eye. Examination showed sectoral anterior episcleritis in her left eye as well as a dome‑shaped choroidal mass at the inferior‑temporal periphery, associated with retinal hemorrhages and subretinal fluid. Systemic evaluation and imaging of the choroidal mass were performed and could not rule out amelanotic choroidal melanoma. At the same time, she was prescribed a 2‑week course of oral nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID) for her sectoral anterior episcleritis. The choroidal mass was found to have resolved completely right before her scheduled fine needle biospy. Diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis and a trial of oral NSAID can be considered in patients presenting with a choroidal mass before any invasive procedure.

Ophthalmic imaging features of posterior scleritis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM: To analyze, summarize and describe ophthalmic imaging features of posterior scleritis. METHODS: Clinical data of 16 patients ( 21 eyes ) with posterior scleritis diagnosed in our hospital from October 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The results of type-B ultrasonic, fundus chromophotograph, fundus fluorescein angiography, CT were recorded for comprehensive evaluation and analysis of ophthalmic imaging features of posterior scleritis. RESULTS: All patients underwent type-B ultrasonic examination and manifested as diffuse and nodular types. The diffuse type showed diffusely thickened sclera and a dark hypoechoic area that connected with the optic nerve to form a typical “T”-shaped sign. The nodular type showed scleral echogenic nodules and relatively regular internal structure. FFA showed that relatively weak mottled fluorescences were visible in the arterial early phase and strong multiple needle-like fluorescences were visible in the arteriovenous phase, which were then progressively larger and fused; fluorescein was leaked to the subretinal tissue in the late phase;varying degrees of strong fluorescences with less clear or unclear boundaries were visible in the optic disk. CT results showed thickened eyeball wall. CONCLUSlON: Posterior scleritis is common in young female patients, whose ophthalmic imaging features are varied and more specific in type-B ultrasonic. Selection of rational ophthalmic imaging examination method, combined with clinical manifestations, can accurately diagnose posterior scleritis and avoid the incidence of missed and delayed diagnosis.

Posterior scleritis being an underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed treatable eye disease / 中华实验眼科杂志

Posterior scleritis,an inflammatory disease of the posterior sclera,is most commonly seen in middle-aged women and often associated with systemic immunological diseases.It presents with a variety of nonspecific signs and symptoms,and its clinical feature may be confused with ocular tumors,orbital inflammation,and retinochoroidopathy.Therefore,some auxiliary examinations are necessary for the diagnosis of posterior scleritis.With early proper diagnosis and treatment,severe complications of posterior scleritis can be avoided or lessened.In the paper,some advancement in the study of etiology,incidence,signs,symptoms,auxiliary examination,differential diagnosis and treatment of posterior scleritis were reviewed.

Two Cases of Young Patients with Bilateral Posterior Scleritis Accompanied with Serous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To report 2 young female patients with bilateral posterior scleritis and serous retinal detachment. CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old girl (Case 1) and a 16-year-old girl (Case 2) visited our clinic with bilateral ocular pain, redness, and blurred vision. Slit lamp examinations revealed severe bilateral scleral injection and mild anterior chamber reactions. Fundus examinations showed bilateral serous retinal detachments in the macular area. In both patients, diffuse multifocal leaking and pooling were found at the macula in the early and late phase fluorescein angiography, respectively. On the B-mode ultrasounds and orbital images (MRI or CT), scleral thickening with retention of subtenons fluid were found. There were no systemic diseases associated with the conditions. We diagnosed the patients with bilateral posterior scleritis and administered systemic steroids. After systemic steroid treatment, all of the symptoms were alleviated. Three months after the regression, bilateral posterior scleritis recurred in patient 2. Oral cyclosporine 100 mg was additionally prescribed in addition to the previous medications that she had taken during her first treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Two young patients diagnosed with posterior scleritis and serous retinal detachment was treated with systemic steroids. With proper examination and treatment, posterior scleritis can be treated with no complications.

A Case of Giant Nodular Posterior Scleritis

PURPOSE: The authors report a case of a giant subretinal nodular mass following surgical vitreous opacity removal. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old man complained of visual loss and vitreous floaters in the left eye for 3 months (best corrected visual acuity: 0.1). The fundus was not clearly visualized due to vitreous opacity. Vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were performed in the left eye. After removing the vitreous opacity, fundus examination revealed a creamy yellowish-white subretinal nodular mass (4 disc in size) infero-temporal to the fovea with adjoining chorioretinal folds and exudative retinal detachment. Fluorescein angiography (FA) of the left eye showed hypofluorescence of the nodule surrounded by a well-demarcated hyperfluorescent margin. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a prominent dome-shaped large echogenic nodule bordered by hypoechoic signal at the sclerochoroidal level. Giant nodular posterior scleritis was suspected and the patient was treated with oral corticosteroids. The large nodular lesion resolved completely within 3 months after initiation of the treatment and the best corrected visual acuity improved to 0.5. CONCLUSIONS: The authors of the present case study recommend a thorough evaluation of large posterior segment nodular lesions in order to detect this under-recognized but eminently treatable condition.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) as an Adjuvant for the Treatment of Posterior Scleritis

We report a case of posterior scleritis effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab. A 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with posterior scleritis. Although she was initially treated with systemic steroids, her clinical presentation deteriorated. She was then treated with a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and aqueous humor collection. The aqueous level of vascular endothelial growth factor prior to the intravitreal injection was 880.51 pg/mL, greater than that in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). One month later, the scleritis was completely resolved, and the patient remained stable during six months of follow-up. Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be an effective adjuvant therapy for patients with posterior scleritis.

A Case of Recurrent Posterior Scleritis With Hyperthyroidism in Both Eyes

PURPOSE: Posterior scleritis is known to be a rare disease. The authors of the present study herein report a case of posterior scleritis, which occurred in a patient's eye, accompanied by hyperthyroidism and recurring in the other eye one year later. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old female patient visited the hospital for ocular pain in the left eye and a headache. The patient was diagnosed with posterior scleritis through fundus examination, ultrasonography, CT and MRI, and an effective outcome of treatment was obtained by oral administration of methylprednisolone. Four months after discharge, the patient received left subtotal thyroidectomy for thyroid papillary cancer. Seven months after surgery she visited again, due to ocular pain that started 1 week earlier in the left eye, as well as a headache, and was diagnosed with posterior scleritis upon fundus examination, ultrasonography and MRI. Methylprednisolone was administered orally and an effective treatment result was obtained. After discharge, the patient was followed up for 5 months and did not show any signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: When a hyperthyroidism patient has ocular pain or a headache, the possibility of posterior scleritis accompaniment should be considered, as well as the possibility that posterior scleritis, which already occurred in one eye, may recur in the other eye.

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment in Posterior Scleritis

Posterior scleritis must be one of the most underdiagnosed treatable conditions in ophthalmology, partly because its manifestations are so protean and partly because the diagnosis is rarely considered. Although ultrasonography and computer tomogram are ancilliary tests, a careful examination of the posterior segment of the eye including the area of the ora serrata, macula and disc is essential to discover the presence of a posterior scleritis. We experienced prolonged retinal pigment epithelial detachments which had appered at early phase of posterior scleritis.