Quantitative and comparative analysis of thermography parameters in posterior scleritis, choroiditis, and controls.

PURPOSE: To compare various ocular thermography parameters in posterior scleritis (PS), choroiditis (choroidal granuloma [CG], Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada [VKH] syndrome), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), and healthy controls. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, comparative study evaluated cases undergoing ocular thermography between April 2017 and October 2023. The study groups included cases of PS, CG, and VKH, while the control group comprised CSCR cases and healthy individuals. Various thermography parameters were assessed, which were as follows: Ocular surface temperature (OST), central corneal temperature (CCT), average scleral temperature (ST), nasal scleral temperature (nST), temperature difference between both the eyes (∆t), and difference between scleral and corneal temperatures (ST - CCT, nST - CCT). RESULTS: It was found that ∆t was significantly higher in the PS group compared to the CG ( P = 0.005), CSCR ( P = 0.0001), and control groups (dilated control: P =0.006, undilated control: P = 0.0001). ST - CCT and nST - CCT were significantly higher in the undilated control and CSCR groups and significantly lower in the PS group. ST - CCT and nST - CCT showed less difference in the affected eyes compared to contralateral healthy eyes of PS and CG cases. OST, CCT, ST, and nST displayed statistically insignificant differences across all groups. CONCLUSION: It is advisable to focus on temperature differences between the affected and healthy eyes, or the difference between the central corneal and scleral temperature of the affected eye, utilizing parameters such as ∆t, ST - CCT, and nST - CCT. These composite parameters offer a more effective approach than individual measurements like OST, CCT, ST, and nST. Thermography can serve as a screening tool to suspect and differentiate PS.

Bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis with rickettsial retinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of bilateral retinal vasculitis due to presumed sarcoidosis and rickettsial retinitis complicated with neovascularization with tear biomarker analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case report. RESULTS: A 16-year-old male presented with bilateral retinal vasculitis and retinitis in both eyes with inferotemporal quadrant neovascularization in the right eye. Multimodal imaging revealed the presence of active inflammation in both eyes. Weil Felix test was positive with raised ACE levels. This patient was treated with local and systemic steroids, doxycycline, and laser photocoagulation followed by oral methotrexate therapy which resulted in clinical resolution with recovery of visual acuity. Tear biomarker analysis showed raised sICAM-1 and MMP-9 levels in both eyes which significantly reduced following treatment. CONCLUSION: Ocular sarcoidosis with rickettsial infection is a rare association. Tear biomarkers correlated well with clinical and imaging manifestations. High index of suspicion and aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy can help control inflammation and restore good vision.

Ocular manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Immunologic and inflammatory adverse effects following vaccination against COVID-19 are being reported. While some reactions may develop denovo others concern its immunogenic effect in patients with pre-existing inflammatory conditions. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive patients diagnosed with ocular inflammatory manifestations within 8 weeks of receiving COVID-19 vaccination who presented to a tertiary eye care centre in South India. RESULTS: Ninety-eight eyes of 67 patients presenting with ocular inflammatory manifestations within 8 weeks following COVID-19 vaccination were studied. The mean age was 43 years (+/- 14.82; range 19-80 years). The most common presentations were anterior uveitis (n = 31, 31.7%), followed by panuveitis (n = 24, 24.5%). The mean time to onset of symptoms was 25 days (+/- 15.48; range 2-55 days) following a dose of vaccine. Among all patients, 39 (58.2%) had a previous history of ocular inflammation. Mean presenting visual acuity was 0.4 (0-4) logMAR units and mean final visual acuity was 0.2 (0-4) logMAR units. The causes for reduced vision included of cystoid macular edema (n=2, 2%), chorioretinal atrophy (n=2.2%), optic atrophy (n=1.1%), retinal vascular occlusion (n=1.1%) and acute retinal necrosis (n=1.1%). CONCLUSION: Infective and immunogenic adverse events should be watched out for after COVID-19 vaccination. It is difficult to establish causality for such manifestations, nevertheless, most of them were mild and had good final visual outcomes.

Epidemic retinitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To study the impact of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on incidence, seasonal variation, clinical presentation, and disease outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) and to compare clinical outcomes with positive and negative COVID-19 serology. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital from August 2020 to June 2022. A graph of ER cases against the month of presentation was compared with the graph of the COVID-19 pandemic in the same region. Cases presented before COVID-19 vaccination, with positive COVID-19 serology (Group 1) were compared with cases with negative serology (Group 2). Results: One hundred and thirty-two cases of ER were seen. The least number of cases were seen during and immediately after the peak of the pandemic (May 2021-August 2021). COVID-19 serology was positive in 13 (22 eyes)/60 (21.6%) unvaccinated cases. Along with COVID-19, positive serology for other ER etiologies was seen in 5/13 cases (38.4%). All patients received oral doxycycline with/without steroids. Groups 1 and 2 included 22 and 21 eyes of 13 cases each. Macular edema resolved in 43.6 and 32 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Retinitis resolved at 1 month in both groups. Corrected distant visual acuity was 20/50 and 20/70 at the presentation, which improved to 20/20 and 20/25 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean and median follow-up was 6 months and 4.5 months, respectively, in both groups. No complications or recurrences were seen. Conclusion: No significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ER was observed.

Epidemic retinitis during pregnancy.

Purpose: To study the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) during pregnancy. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational chart review of pregnant patients diagnosed with ER from January 2014 to February 2023. Demographic details, month of pregnancy at the onset of ocular symptoms, history of present illness, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes were studied. Results: In 9 years, ER was seen in 86 females, of whom 12 (13.9%) were pregnant. Twenty-one eyes of those 12 patients were studied. Most of the patients presented in the sixth month of pregnancy (range: 5-9 months, mean: 6.3 months). Physicians diagnosed viral exanthematous fever in six, typhoid in three, and suspected rickettsia in one patient. Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) was performed in two patients before presentation. Weil-Felix test was positive in five, Brucella in one, WIDAL in three, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) IgG and dengue IgG in one patient each. Oral antibiotics were given in five patients (two post-medical termination of pregnancy [MTP]) for the retinitis. All except four received oral steroids. Mean presenting corrected distant visual acuity (n = 21) was 20/125 (range: 20/20-20/20,000), which improved to (n = 18) 20/30 (range: 20/20-20/240). Macular edema (n = 11) resolved in 33.18 days (range: 20-50 days), and retinitis (n = 13) resolved in 58 days (range: 30-110 days). Ocular and systemic examination of newborn was possible in two and the babies were normal. Conclusion: ER is seen commonly at the beginning of the third trimester. Lack of antibiotics may delay the resolution of retinitis. Ocular health needs to be assessed in larger series to conclude absence of retinal involvement in newborns.

Choroidal Involvement and Chronic Macular Edema in Acute Retinal Necrosis: A Novel Finding and a Novel Treatment.

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) as the term suggests is recognized as necrotic inflammation of retina, in contrast to toxoplasma retinochoroiditis where involvement of choroid can be appreciated as choroidal thickening on optical coherence tomography scan during active stage. Secondly, sequelae of ARN, such as chronic anterior uveitis and cystoid macular edema, could be challenging to manage as steroid use in various forms poses a risk of virus reactivation. We present a case of ARN caused by varicella zoster virus with an initial confusing clinical picture with toxoplasma retinochoroiditis, documented with choroidal involvement. The patient also developed a chronic anterior uveitis with macular edema after resolution of ARN which was treated with topical interferon (IFN) alfa 2b therapy with successful outcome. This report supports the recently described choroidal involvement in ARN and suggests topical IFN as a novel treatment in management of chronic macular edema post ARN.

Choroidal lesions in varicella zoster virus uveitis.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal lesions with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan in varicella zoster virus (VZV) uveitis. Methods: VZV-uveitis cases which underwent OCT scan for choroidal lesions were studied. SD-OCT scan passing through these lesions was studied in detail. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) during active and resolved stages was studied. Angiogaphic features were studied where available. Results: Thirteen out of 15 cases had same-sided herpes zoster ophthalmicus skin rashes. All except three patients had old or active kerato-uveitis. All eyes demonstrated clear vitreous and a single or multiple hypopigmented orangish-yellow choroidal lesions. The number of lesions remained unchanged during the follow-up on clinical examination. SD-OCT over lesions (n = 11) showed choroidal thinning (n = 5), hyporeflective choroidal elevation during active inflammation (n = 3), transmission effects (n = 4), and ellipsoid zone disruption (n = 7). The mean change in SFCT (n = 9) after resolution of the inflammation was 26.3 µm (range: 3-90 µm). Fundus fluorescein angiography showed iso-fluorescence over lesions in all (n = 5), but indocyanine green angiography (n = 3) showed hypofluorescence at lesions. Mean follow-up was 1.38 years (range: 3 months-7 years). De-novo appearance of choroidal lesion during the first relapse of VZV-uveitis was captured in one case. Conclusion: VZV-uveitis can cause focal or multifocal hypopigmented choroidal lesions with thickening or scarring of choroidal tissue, depending on the disease activity.

Pole-to-pole involvement of varicella zoster virus reactivation following COVID-19 vaccination.

The aim of this study is to report the clinical features, imaging findings including confocal imaging, corneal nerve fiber analysis, and management outcomes in a series of three cases of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation following one dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. This was a retrospective and observational study. All the patients who developed uveitis post-vaccination were pooled together. Patients who had VZV reactivation were included. Two cases had polymerase chain reaction positive for VZV from aqueous humor. At the time of presentation, IgG and IgM spike protein antibodies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) were tested. Out of this pool, three patients with classical features to describe pole-to-pole manifestations were chosen. A 36-year-old lady with post-vaccination sclerokeratouveitis associated with reactivation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, a 56-year-old lady with post-vaccination acute anterior uveitis associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and a 43-year-old gentleman with post-vaccination acute retinal necrosis were included. We present a possible link between anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination and varicella zoster reactivation in these patients and also describe the clinical features, imaging findings including confocal imaging, corneal nerve fiber analysis, and management with detailed discussion.

Reactivation of varicella zoster infection presenting as acute retinal necrosis post COVID 19 vaccination in an Asian Indian male.

PURPOSE: To present the clinical features of a rare case of varicella zoster infection following one dose of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in an elderly Asian Indian male. METHODS: Retrospective observational case report. RESULTS: A 71-year-old gentleman presented to us with complaints of reduced vision associated with redness and pain in his right eye for 1 week. On examination he revealed a right eye pan uveitis picture with circumcorneal congestion, multiple fine keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cells and flare, vitritis and widespread areas of acute retinal necrosis. His left eye was within normal limits. Ten days prior to the presentation he had received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine following which he had developed fever for 2 days that preceded the red eye. The patient's aqueous sample tested positive for varicella zoster virus (VZV) by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay from the aqueous and also from the nasopharyngeal swab was negative. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge this is the earliest description of a case that has a viral reactivation following COVID-19 vaccination. Elderly people with pre-existing comorbidities, may be at a risk of both primary coronavirus infection and unconceivable risk of aberrant immune reactions leading to a different virus infection or reactivation need to be kept in mind. We present a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination and varicella zoster reactivation in this patient.

Reactivation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis with posterior segment manifestations following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in the pediatric population and anterior uveitis is its commonest extra-articular manifestation. Typically the uveitis presents as chronic anterior uveitis and there is limited literature of the posterior segment manifestations of the disease. Similar to other vaccines, anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination that began as an urgent measure to control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has not been without adverse events. We are reporting a 19-year-old Asian Indian female who was diagnosed and treated for JIA associated anterior uveitis that was unilateral and was under anti-inflammatory control but showed worsening of uveitis with posterior segment inflammation in both eyes following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. CASE REPORT: A 19-year-old Asian Indian female with a history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis on treatment with methotrexate, presented with right eye chronic anterior uveitis with peripheral subclinical retinal vasculitis and macular edema which was brought under control following administration of adalimumab. She was inflammation free for 6 months until she received anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and developed new onset floaters in both eyes that were initially noted after the first dose and increased after the second dose. Clinical examination revealed presence of keratic precipitates and grade 1+ anterior chamber inflammation along with vitiritis in both eyes. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed angiographically active retinal vasculitis without the presence of macular edema in both eyes. This was managed with a short course of topical difluprednate and continuation of systemic immunosuppressive therapy with adalimumab and methotrexate. CONCLUSION: JIA associated uveitis results from an autoimmune process which can be controlled with timely immunosuppressive treatment. It is important to be aware of the potential risk of flare up of uveitis with posterior segment manifestations following anti- SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Trends in teleconsultations for uveitis during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Purpose: To study the use of teleophthalmology as a tool to manage patients with uveitis and to describe the experience of teleconsultation for uveitis at a tertiary eye care hospital in India during the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A prospective observational case series of uveitis patients seeking teleconsultations during the first (March 25-May 2020) and second lockdown (April 27 to June 21, 2021) in a tertiary eye care center were analyzed. Results: There were 79 teleconsultations in the first and 89 teleconsultations in the second lockdown. A majority of the patients presented in the age group of 41-60 years in both the lockdowns. There were both new or primary consultations and follow-up patients (6% vs. 94%) in the first lockdown, and similarly in the second lockdown (8% new vs. 92% follow-up). The majority of patients resided in Bengaluru city (78% in the first and 76% in the second lockdown). After evaluation through video consultation, only 15% required a hospital referral in the first lockdown, whereas in the second lockdown, 21.3% were referred to the hospital. During the second lockdown, 20% presented with COVID-19 infection-related ailments. Conclusion: Based on our preliminary experience using a customized smartphone-based application for teleconsultation, we found it to be an alternative option to provide continuation of ophthalmic care to uveitis patients. Given the current COVID-19 situation, it can help avoid physical visits of uveitis patients to the hospital.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in fellow eyes of choroidal neovascularisation associated with central serous chorioretinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) features of fellow eyes of patients with unilateral choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). METHODS: Medical records of patients with chronic CSCR who had undergone OCT angiography of both the eyes were reviewed. Patients with evidence of unilateral CNV detected by conventional imaging (OCT, fluorescein angiography and/or indocyanine green angiography) were included in the study. The OCT and OCTA characteristics of fellow eyes were analysed. RESULTS: Forty patients (80 eyes-40 fellow eyes) with chronic CSCR with evidence of CNV in one eye were included. Mean age of the patients was 54.9±9.9 years and 82.5 % were males. Twenty-five (62.5%) fellow eyes had flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment on OCT, out of which 21 had internal hyper-reflectivity. A definite vascular network was picked up by OCTA in 9 of these 40 fellow eyes (22.5%) which was not detected on conventional imaging. In addition, two eyes had an ill-defined hyper-reflectivity, which could not be classified as a definite network at that point of time. The networks detected on OCTA in fellow eyes were mostly inactive, suggesting a subclinical neovascularisation. CONCLUSION: One-fourth of fellow eyes showed vascular network which could not be diagnosed on conventional imaging which highlights the importance of imaging both the eyes of chronic CSCR for early detection of CNV using OCTA. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess the clinical course of such subclinical vascular networks in CSCR.

Dual lesion margins on fundus autofluorescence associated with paradoxical worsening following treatment for tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis.

A 31-year-old male presented with decreased vision in the right eye associated with an active plaque-like serpiginoid choroiditis. The lesion showed a unique feature of dual margins of hyperautofluorescence of the lesion on fundus autofluoresence (FAF) imaging. Systemic investigations suggested a tubercular etiology. He was started on antitubercular treatment and a conventional dose of oral corticosteroids (1mg/kg body weight). However, the lesions showed paradoxical worsening and required increased immunosuppression in the form of local steroids and oral immunomodulators. The presence of dual margins of hyperautofluorescence could suggest increased inflammatory activity leading to paradoxical worsening on treatment requiring increased immunosuppression.

Unique optical coherence tomographic features in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness worldwide characterized by the presence of drusen and leading to retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal changes in advanced stages. Approximately 10% of eyes with age-related macular degeneration develop neovascular complications and present with retinal or sub-retinal pigment epithelium exudation, hemorrhage, or both. Recent advances in imaging techniques, especially optical coherence tomography (OCT), help in early identification of disease and guide various treatment decisions; however, not all signs are suggestive of ongoing exudation or neovascular activity. Although uncommon, multiple OCT-based signs are reported that may be difficult to appreciate clinically. Prompt identification of these signs such as outer retinal tubulation, cystoid degeneration, or pseudocysts may avoid unnecessary interventions. Moreover, certain OCT-based features involving the choroid, such as prechoridal cleft and choroidal cavern, have also been found in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. We discuss these unique OCT-based signs, their pathogenesis, clinical relevance, and management.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in cystoid macular degeneration associated with central serous chorioretinopathy.

AIM: To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics and to identify and analyse the incidence of choroidal neovascular (CNV) network seen on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with cystoid macular degeneration (CMD) associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of 29 eyes of 25 patients who were previously diagnosed as CSCR with CMD. Baseline patient characteristics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), evidence of CNV network and its pattern on OCTA, distribution of CMD changes and OCT parameters, such as height of the neurosensory retinal detachment (NSD), presence of double layer sign, central macular thickness, were analysed. The eyes were classified into two groups depending on the presence or absence of CNV network on OCTA. BCVA, OCT parameters and CMD distribution were compared in the two groups at baseline using independent t-test. RESULT: A total of 13 (44.8 %) eyes had a CNV network, while only 9 out of the 13 eyes had pattern-I CNV. Among the eyes with CNV network (13 eyes), mean height of NSD was of 65.2±22.7 µ, whereas, among the eyes without CNV (16 eyes), it was 134.6±77.4 µ. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.013). There was no statistically significant difference between eye having a CNV and eyes without CNV in terms of other parameters. CONCLUSION: A CNV network is seen in a large subset of patients with CMD in CSCR. A shallower subretinal fluid may point towards the presence of an underlying CNV network.