Long-term biocompatibility and visual outcomes of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens in patients with uveitis.

PURPOSE: To report the long-term visual outcomes and biocompatibility of a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) in patients with uveitis having cataract surgery. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, Birmingham, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Retrospective case review. METHODS: The review included consecutive uveitis patients in whom phacoemulsification and acrylic IOL implantation was performed by the same surgeon. Outcomes measures are reported as rate/eye-year and included visual acuity and signs of bioincompatibility. RESULTS: The review identified 171 eyes (140 patients; mean age 51 years [range 16 to 85 years]) with uveitis. The mean follow-up was 3.8 years (range 0.9 to 10.3 years). Signs of uveal bioincompatibility were found in 31 eyes, with visually insignificant deposits on the IOL in 17 eyes. The rate of uveal bioincompatibility was 0.06/eye-year. Signs of capsule bioincompatibility were found in 107 (63%) of 171 eyes (0.31/eye-year). Posterior capsule opacification was documented in 102 eyes (0.29/eye-year); neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy was required in 31 eyes (0.05/eye-year). The rate of failure to maintain a 3 logMAR line improvement in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.08/eye-year; to maintain better than 0.3 logMAR, 0.15/eye-year; and to maintain either, 0.04/eye-year. At 1 year, 85% of eyes had a CDVA of better than 0.3 logMAR or maintained a 3 logMAR-line improvement. Eyes with preexisting macular or optic nerve disease had significantly worse visual outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term safety profile of the hydrophilic acrylic IOL was good in uveitis cases, leading to good visual outcomes and a low rate of vision-impairing uveal and capsule complications. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Clinical course and visual outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus and uveitis.

PURPOSE: We report the clinical course and visual outcome of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who subsequently developed uveitis from any cause. METHODS: Longitudinal, retrospective case note review. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients (M/F: 18/18, 58 eyes) were included, Of the 36 patients, 35 had Type 2 DM and one had Type 1 DM. Mean age of onset of DM was 49 years and uveitis 55 years. The uveitis was bilateral in 22 (61%) patients. There were 19 patients with anterior uveitis, 12 with panuveitis and 5 with intermediate uveitis. Mean follow up was 4.4 years (range 1-18). Mean number of uveitis recurrences was 3 (range 1-7). Causes of vision of 6/18 or worse appeared related to the uveitis in 9 eyes and diabetes in 4 eyes. Cataract occurred in 22 eyes, glaucoma in 17 eyes, and cystoid macular oedema in 10 eyes. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 38 (65.5%) eyes (29 non-proliferative including 6 with clinically significant macular oedema, and 9 proliferative). Progression of diabetic retinopathy to proliferative stage occurred in 7 eyes of 4 patients over a mean duration of 4.4 years. In 10 patients with active uveitis the mean HbA1c was 80 mmol/mol [9.5%], (range 49-137 [6.6-14.7]), and 67 mmol/mol [8.3%] (range 46-105 [6.4-11.8]) when the uveitis was quiescent, p = 0.01. Better glycaemic control was required in 10 patients during episodes of uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DM who develop uveitis may have a high complication rate, reduced vision and poor glycaemic control. Checking blood glucose during episodes of uveitis is important.

Clinical features of patients with diabetes mellitus presenting with their first episode of uveitis.

PURPOSE: Little is known about uveitis in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The authors studied diabetic patients with their first episode of uveitis. METHODS: Cross-sectional, case note study documenting the uveitis, underlying cause/syndrome, treatment, type of DM and treatment, and any diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: There were 34 patients (M/F: 17/17, 48 eyes) with their first uveitis episode (33 had type 2 DM). Mean age of onset of DM 49 years and uveitis 56 years. Uveitis was bilateral in 14 (45%), with most having idiopathic anterior uveitis. Visual acuity 6/18-6/60 in 15 eyes, and worse than 6/60 in 11 eyes. There was 3-4+ flare in 16 eyes, 3-4+ anterior chamber cells in 13 eyes. Diabetic retinopathy was seen in 20 (42%) eyes, and mean blood glucose was 13.64 mmol/L in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients presenting with uveitis, whatever the aetiology, may have severe inflammation, reduced vision, and poor glycaemic control.