Comparison of postcataract surgery anti-inflammatory regimens on the incidence of cystoid macular edema, iritis, pain, and photophobia.

PURPOSE: To compare postcataract surgery anti-inflammatory regimens of intracanalicular dexamethasone insert and topical bromfenac on the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME), iritis, pain, and photophobia. SETTING: Eyes of York Cataract & Laser Center, York, Pennsylvania. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Case records of 647 consecutive patients (1001 eyes) who underwent cataract surgery and received dexamethasone intracanalicular insert 0.4 mg (Group 1; 482 eyes) or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (bromfenac 0.075% 2 times a day) for 4 weeks postoperatively (Group 2; 519 eyes) were included. Both groups received intracameral moxifloxacin and phenylephrine/ketorolac. Patients with prior CME, vitreomacular traction, combined cataract/glaucoma surgery, and medication protocols different from those examined in this study were excluded. RESULTS: Compared with the dexamethasone insert group, the topical NSAID group had a significantly lower incidence of CME (0.4% [2/519] vs 3.9% [19/482], P < .001) and photophobia (1.9% [10/519] vs 4.8% [23/482], P = .012). The incidence of breakthrough iritis (3.5% [18/519] vs 5.6% [27/482], P = .104) and pain also trended lower (4.0% [21/519] vs 5.4% [26/482], P = .314) in the topical NSAID group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical NSAIDs were found to be more effective in controlling CME, pain, iritis, and photophobia after cataract surgery compared with the intracanalicular dexamethasone insert in the presence of intracameral phenylephrine/ketorolac.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit Stays, Ventilation, and Death Among Patients With Immune-mediated Inflammatory Diseases Compared to Controls.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization risk in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) compared with matched non-IMID comparators from the general population. METHODS: We conducted a population-based, matched cohort study using health administrative data from January to July 2020 in Ontario, Canada. Cohorts for each of the following IMIDs were assembled: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis, systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), multiple sclerosis (MS), iritis, inflammatory bowel disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, and vasculitis. Each patient was matched with 5 non-IMID comparators based on sociodemographic factors. We compared the cumulative incidence of hospitalizations for COVID-19 and their outcomes between IMID and non-IMID patients. RESULTS: A total of 493,499 patients with IMID (417 hospitalizations) and 2,466,946 non-IMID comparators (1519 hospitalizations) were assessed. The odds of being hospitalized for COVID-19 were significantly higher in patients with IMIDs compared with their matched non-IMID comparators (matched unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.37, adjusted OR 1.23). Significantly higher risk of hospitalizations was found in patients with iritis (OR 1.46), MS (OR 1.83), PsA (OR 2.20), RA (OR 1.42), SARDs (OR 1.47), and vasculitis (OR 2.07). COVID-19 hospitalizations were associated with older age, male sex, long-term care residence, multimorbidity, and lower income. The odds of complicated hospitalizations were 21% higher among all IMID vs matched non-IMID patients, but this association was attenuated after adjusting for demographic factors and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Patients with IMIDs were at higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19. This risk was explained in part by their comorbidities.

Diagnosis and Management of Idiopathic Persistent Iritis after Cataract Surgery (IPICS).

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnosis and management of patients with idiopathic persistent iritis after cataract surgery (IPICS). DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with IPICS were evaluated for demographic and clinical characteristics and immune blood markers. Those with more than 6 months of follow-up were evaluated for treatment efficacy to achieve remission (ie, absence of inflammation for 3 months), with either exclusive slow tapering of topical steroids or the need for systemic immunosuppression. RESULTS: Forty-five patients presented with IPICS. Most were African American (39, 86.7%) or female (33, 77.3%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in 23 (69.9%) of patients. Main complications were steroid dependency (38,84.4%), glaucoma (24,53.5%), and macular edema (11,37.5%). Thirty two patients presented treatment follow up. On these,the proposed treatment strategy achieved remission in 30 (93.8%) of cases in a mean of 6.1 months via tapering of topical steroids in 15 (46.9%) of patients. However, in 17 (53.1%) of cases, adjuvant anti-inflammatory systemic medication was indicated. Meloxicam use was associated with remission in 11 (64.7%) of these patients and, in a minority with persistent iritis, treatment was escalated to methotrexate, which was successful in 4 (100%) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: IPICS is a distinct clinical anterior uveitis most common in African American and female patients, characterized by an unexpected onset of iritis after cataract surgery and high rates of steroid dependency, glaucoma, and macular edema. It is best treated with an initial slow taper of topical steroids; although adjuvant systemic anti-inflammatory therapy may be necessary to obtain remission and avoid complications.

Safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the results of phacoemulsification through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation versus phacoemulsification through a well-dilated pupil. METHODS: This prospective randomized control (comparative) study comprised 78 patients (group I) with a maximally dilated pupil size of ≤4.00 mm and 45 patients (group II) with dilated pupil size of ≥7.00 mm. In group I patients, only viscodilation and minimal push-and-pull iris stretching with two collar-button iris-retractor hooks were utilized without iris manipulation. Phacoemulsification was performed by two senior surgeons and the technique used consisted of either stop and chop or quick chop, infusion/aspiration of lens cortex, capsular bag refill with ocular viscoelastic devices, and implantation of an acrylic foldable intraocular lens. Patients were examined on the first day and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes of group I patients had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, eleven eyes had previous glaucoma surgery, 14 eyes had angle-closure or open-angle glaucoma, and seven eyes had posterior synechiae with iritis. In group I patients, the mean pupil size measured under an operating microscope was 3.2 mm preoperatively, 4.3 mm after viscoelastic and mechanical pupil dilation, and 4.1 mm at the end of a surgical procedure. Rupture of the zonular fibers occurred in six patients of group I and the intraocular lens was implanted in the sulcus. Small iris-sphincter rupture and small hemorrhages occurred in four eyes during pupillary manipulation, but they were not evident at the end of the surgery. In group II patients, no intraoperative complications occurred. Signs of significant corneal edema and iritis were observed more frequently in group I eyes (26 eyes and 20 eyes, respectively) on the first postoperative day in comparison with group II eyes (ten eyes and six eyes, respectively). Intraocular pressure was <20 mmHg in all eyes of both groups. One month postoperatively, the pupil was round and reactive to light, the anterior chamber was quiet, and the cornea was clear in all eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity on Snellen chart was 20/40 (Monoyer's scale) or better in both groups. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification through a small pupil using minimal iris manipulation can be safe and exhibits the same results as those obtained with phacoemulsification through normal pupils.

Intraocular lens explantation or exchange: indications, postoperative interventions, and outcomes.

PURPOSE: To analyze the indications for explantation or exchange of intraocular lenses (IOLs), which were originally implanted for the correction of aphakia during cataract extraction. METHODS: All cases that involved intraocular lens explantation or exchange in one institution between January 2008 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In total, 93 eyes of 93 patients were analyzed. The median time interval between implantation and explantation of the anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC IOL) and posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOL) was 83.40 ± 83.14 months (range: 1-276 months) and 55.14 ± 39.25 months (range: 1-168 months), respectively. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (17 eyes, 38.6%) and persistent iritis (12 eyes, 27.8%) in the AC IOL group and dislocation or decentration (30 eyes, 61.2%) and incorrect IOL power (nine eyes, 18.4%) in the PC IOL group were the most common indications for explantation of IOLs. The mean logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from 1.30 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively in the PC IOL group (p<0.001) but did not improve significantly in the AC IOL group (p=0.186). CONCLUSIONS: The primary indication for IOL explantation or exchange was pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in the AC IOL group and was dislocation or decentration in the PC IOL group. PC IOL explantation or exchange is safe and improves visual acuity.

Intraocular lens explantation or exchange: indications, postoperative interventions, and outcomes / Remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares: indicações, intervenções pós-operatórias e resultados

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the indications for explantation or exchange of intraocular lenses (IOLs), which were originally implanted for the correction of aphakia during cataract extraction. Methods: All cases that involved intraocular lens explantation or exchange in one institution between January 2008 and December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In total, 93 eyes of 93 patients were analyzed. The median time interval between implantation and explantation of the anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC IOL) and posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOL) was 83.40 ± 83.14 months (range: 1-276 months) and 55.14 ± 39.25 months (range: 1-168 months), respectively. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (17 eyes, 38.6%) and persistent iritis (12 eyes, 27.8%) in the AC IOL group and dislocation or decentration (30 eyes, 61.2%) and incorrect IOL power (nine eyes, 18.4%) in the PC IOL group were the most common indications for explantation of IOLs. The mean logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly from 1.30 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively in the PC IOL group (p<0.001) but did not improve significantly in the AC IOL group (p=0.186). Conclusions: The primary indication for IOL explantation or exchange was pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in the AC IOL group and was dislocation or decentration in the PC IOL group. PC IOL explantation or exchange is safe and improves visual acuity. .

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as indicações para a remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares (IOL), que foram originalmente implantadas para a correção de afacia após a extração da catarata. Método: Todos os casos que envolveram remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares em uma única instituição, entre janeiro de 2008 e dezembro 2014 foram analisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: No total, foram analisados 93 olhos de 93 pacientes. O intervalo de tempo médio entre o implante e a remoção das LIOs de câmara anterior (AC IOL) e de câmara posterior (PC IOL) foi 83,40 ± 83,14 meses (variando de 1 a 276 meses) e 55,14 ± 39,25 meses (variando de 1 a 168 meses), respectivamente. Ceratopatia bolhosa pseudofácica (17 olhos, 38,6%) e irite persistente (12 olhos, 27,8%) no grupo AC IOL, e deslocamento ou descentralização (30 olhos, 61,2%) e poder incorreto da IOL (nove olhos, 18,4%), no grupo PC IOL, foram as indicações mais comuns para a remoção das IOLs. A média logMAR da melhor acuidade visual corrigida (BCVA) melhorou significativamente a partir de 1,30 no pré-operatório para 0,62 no pós-operatório no grupo PC IOL (p<0,001), mas não melhorou significativamente no grupo AC IOL (p=0,186). Conclusões: A principal indicação para remoção ou troca de lentes intraoculares foi a ceratopatia bolhosa pesudofácica no grupo AC IOL e deslocamento ou descentralização no grupo PC IOL. A remoção ou troca de PC IOLs é segura e melhora a acuidade visual. .

Rubeosis iridis in patients with diabetes: not forgetting oculoischaemic syndrome as a differential.

This case illustrates an oculoischaemic syndrome presenting with iris neovascularisation in a patient with established diabetic retinopathy. It highlights the importance of considering the differential diagnosis of rubeosis in all patients, including those with an underlying vascular pathology. Moreover, it urges clinicians to consider the sequelae of a compromised vascular system, such as the iatrogenic central retinal artery occlusion as a result of intravitreal injections. Early diagnosis not only informs correct ophthalmic treatment, but is crucial in preventing ischaemic stroke and, therefore, reducing the risk of systemic morbidity and mortality.

[Typical and atypical ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease]. / Typische und untypische okuläre Manifestationen beim Morbus Behçet.

The first ocular symptom in 50-87% of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) is unilateral anterior uveitis. As a characteristic sign of ocular BD the appearance of hypopyon iritis was originally described by Adamantiades and Behçet, but nowadays, probably due to an earlier and more aggressive treatment, this rarely occurs. In the further course of the disease up to 75% of BD patients develop a bilateral chronic relapsing form of posterior uveitis or panuveitis. In addition occlusive retinal vasculitis, which involves arteries as well as veins, is frequently present. A typical complication consists of a cystoid macular edema, which is, besides the retinal vasculitis, responsible for the limited prognosis of visual acuity.

Uveitic secondary glaucoma: influence in James Joyce's (1882-1941) last works.

James Joyce, considered one of the pre-eminent novelists of the 20th century, attained international renown with his work Ulysses. Its lack of standard punctuation makes it difficult to read. An example would be the famous non-punctuated 'Molly Bloom soliloquy' in the last chapter of Ulysses. Why is Joyce considered so difficult to read? He wrote and proofread Ulysses and Finnegans wake, his last works, during his battle against glaucoma, when his vision was seriously blurred. The distracting and confusing diacritical marks might be explained by Joyce's reduced visual acuity. Could Ulysses and Finnegans wake have been different if Joyce's visual problems had begun in the second rather than the first half of 20th century?

Longterm visual prognosis of patients with ocular Adamantiades-Behçet's disease treated with interferon-alpha-2a.

OBJECTIVE: Relapsing ocular involvement is one of the major manifestations in Adamantiades-Behçet's disease (ABD). Combining systemic corticosteroids with cyclosporin A is currently the treatment of choice. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has proven to be effective in mucocutaneous ABD and has been reported to improve ocular lesions. We examined the longterm effects of IFN-alpha-2a in a case series of 45 patients with ocular involvement. METHODS: Since 1988, 45 patients (79 eyes of 90 eyes) with ocular involvement in ABD have been treated with IFN-alpha (3 x 6-9 Mio IU per wk). In the initial acute phase of the disease, patients additionally received short-term corticosteroids (oral prednisolone 100 mg/day), tapered to a maintenance dose of 10 mg/day within 2 weeks. IFN-alpha-2a was administered as longterm therapy with a mean duration of 30 months (range 1.1-101 mo). RESULTS: IFN-alpha-2a/prednisolone treatment was effective against vasculitis, optic nerve neuropathy, and iritis. Sixty-four eyes had no recurrence under therapy. To date, recurrences have been seen in 26 eyes under IFN-alpha treatment. Flu-like symptoms were recorded in nearly all patients (n = 43). Further side effects were dose-dependent reversible thrombocytopenia (n = 1), psychosis (n = 3), depression (n = 13), thyroiditis (n = 1), and reversible diffuse alopecia (n = 7). In our series, 92% of all eyes showed stable or improved visual acuity in longterm followup. CONCLUSION: Longterm remission of ocular inflammation can be achieved with the combination of IFN-alpha and low-dose corticosteroids.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome associated with hyperthyroidism.

We report a 17-year-old male patient with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) associated with hyperthyroidism. He presented with a 2-month history of fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and a 12-kg weight loss when he was admitted to our hospital. He had iritis, which was complicated by fibrin in the anterior chamber, diagnosed by slit-lamp examination. On laboratory examinations, deteriorated renal function (blood urea nitrogen level was 25.9 mg/dl and creatinine level was 2.82 mg/dl) and elevated urinary levels of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (33.1 U/l) and beta2-microglobulin (78,600 microg/l) were observed. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was undetectable, at less than 0.01 microIU/ml, and free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine were elevated, up to 5.23 pg/ml and 2.85 ng/dl, respectively. The titers of antithyroglobulin and antithyroid microsomal and TSH-receptor antibodies were not elevated. Abdominal and thyroidal ultrasonography showed evident bilateral enlargement of the kidneys and diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. Iodine-123 scintigraphy showed low uptake in the thyroid gland. The biopsied renal specimen showed mild edema and severe diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells and few eosinophils in the interstitium, without any glomerular or vascular abnormalities. Based on the clinical features and pathological findings, a diagnosis of TINU syndrome with associated hyperthyroidism was made. Treatment was started with 30 mg/day of prednisolone. The iritis disappeared, and the patient's clinical status improved remarkably. This case suggests the possibility of thyroid dysfunction in some patients with TINU syndrome, and we believe thyroid function should be measured in all TINU patients. Moreover, histopathological diagnosis of the thyroid glands before treatment is necessary for TINU patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Disease and psychological status in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: Psychological factors may be important in the assessment and management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our primary objective was to describe associations between disease and psychological status in AS, using AS-specific assessment tools and questionnaires. Our secondary objectives were to identify patient subgroups based on such associations and to determine the stability of the measures over time. METHODS: A total of 110 patients were assessed at 6-monthly intervals up to four times using tools to measure disease [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI)], psychological [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HADS), Health Locus of Control-Form C Questionnaire (HLC-C)] and generic health [Short form (SF)-36] status. RESULTS: Eighty-nine participants completed all four assessments. Throughout the study, BASDAI, BASFI and BASMI scores correlated significantly with anxiety, depression, internality and health status, but not with levels of belief in chance or powerful others. Clinically anxious or depressed subgroups had significantly worse BASDAI and BASFI, but not BASMI, scores. BASMI scores were the least closely linked to psychological status. Mean scores for disease, psychological and health status were clinically stable over the 18 months period. CONCLUSIONS: Disease status scores in AS correlated significantly with anxiety, depression, internality and health status. Interpretation of AS disease scores should take an account of psychological status and the choice of measures used. These findings have important potential applications in AS management and monitoring, including the identification of patients for biological therapies.

Collamer intraocular lens implantation with active uveitis.

Two patients with active iritis developed cataracts and had successful cataract surgery with implantation of a Collamer (Staar Surgical, AG) intraocular lens (IOL). Both patients developed severe bilateral uveitis, which in 1 patient was refractory to control. Different IOL materials have been used in iritis patients with varying degrees of success. The IOLs used in these patients remained free of cellular and noncellular deposits, such as those that frequently develop on the anterior surface of IOLs in uveitis patients. Two of the 3 eyes developed a secondary membrane that was successfully treated by a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Is Posner Schlossman syndrome benign?

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical course of patients with Posner Schlossman syndrome (PSS). DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three eyes of 50 patients. METHODS: The case notes of all patients with PSS seen at the Uveitis Clinic of Singapore National Eye Centre were reviewed for evidence of glaucoma damage and risk factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual field and optic disc changes consistent with glaucoma. RESULTS: There were 28 men and 22 women, and their mean age at onset was 35 years. Fourteen eyes (26.4%) were diagnosed to have developed glaucoma as a result of repeated attacks of PSS. Patients with 10 years or more of PSS have a 2.8 times higher risk (95% confidence interval 1.19-6.52) of developing glaucoma compared with patients with less than 10 years duration of the disease. Nine eyes (17%) underwent glaucoma filtering surgery with antimetabolites. Their postoperative follow-up ranged from 15 to 50 months (mean, 37 months). Four eyes continued to have episodes of iritis after surgery, and one of these eyes had elevated intraocular pressure during the event. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients with PSS have glaucoma develop over time, and they need to have their optic disc appearance and visual fields carefully monitored.