-
European Journal of Ophthalmology May 2024To report a recurrence of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) with an inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane (iCNVM) after the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
PURPOSE
To report a recurrence of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) with an inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane (iCNVM) after the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
METHODS
Case report.
RESULTS
A 38-year-old female with a history of myopia and previous episodes of PIC and iCNVM presented with distorted vision in her right eye, seven days after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The patient exhibited active PIC lesions with iCNVM confirmed on multimodal imaging. Treatment with a combination of oral corticosteroids and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection led to disease resolution. Subsequent COVID-19 vaccinations, administered while the patient was immunosuppressed, did not lead to disease relapse. However, relapse occurred following the fourth COVID-19 vaccine, when the patient was not immune suppressed.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the potential risk of PIC disease relapse following COVID-19 vaccination. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and PIC exacerbation, as well as to determine optimal management strategies in this population, including close observation and consideration of prophylactic immune suppression at the time of COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk individuals.
PubMed: 38794849
DOI: 10.1177/11206721241257969 -
Biomaterials Sep 2024Effectively addressing retinal issues represents a pivotal aspect of blindness-related diseases. Novel approaches involving reducing inflammation and rebalancing the...
Effectively addressing retinal issues represents a pivotal aspect of blindness-related diseases. Novel approaches involving reducing inflammation and rebalancing the immune response are paramount in the treatment of these conditions. This study delves into the potential of a nanogel system comprising polyethylenimine-benzene boric acid-hyaluronic acid (PEI-PBA-HA). We have evaluated the collaborative impact of cerium oxide nanozyme and chemokine CX3CL1 protein for targeted immunomodulation and retinal protection in uveitis models. Our nanogel system specifically targets the posterior segment of the eyes. The synergistic effect in this area reduces oxidative stress and hampers the activation of microglia, thereby alleviating the pathological immune microenvironment. This multifaceted drug delivery system disrupts the cycle of oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune response, suppressing initial immune cells and limiting local retinal structural damage induced by excessive immune reactions. Our research sheds light on interactions within retinal target cells, providing a promising avenue for the development of efficient and innovative drug delivery platforms.
Topics: Animals; Cerium; Uveitis; Nanogels; Chemokine CX3CL1; Rats; Retina; Immunomodulation; Disease Models, Animal; Polyethyleneimine; Oxidative Stress; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Polyethylene Glycols
PubMed: 38788457
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122617 -
Biomolecules Apr 2024Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a prompt and non-invasive imaging modality helpful in detecting pathological abnormalities within the retina and the choroid. This... (Review)
Review
Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a prompt and non-invasive imaging modality helpful in detecting pathological abnormalities within the retina and the choroid. This narrative review and case series provides an overview on the current application of FAF in posterior and panuveitis. The literature was reviewed for articles on lesion characteristics on FAF of specific posterior and panuveitis entities as well as benefits and limitations of FAF for diagnosing and monitoring disease. FAF characteristics are described for non-infectious and infectious uveitis forms as well as masquerade syndromes. Dependent on the uveitis entity, FAF is of diagnostic value in detecting disease and following the clinical course. Currently available FAF modalities which differ in excitation wavelengths can provide different pathological insights depending on disease entity and activity. Further studies on the comparison of FAF modalities and their individual value for uveitis diagnosis and monitoring are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Panuveitis; Fundus Oculi; Optical Imaging; Fluorescein Angiography
PubMed: 38785922
DOI: 10.3390/biom14050515 -
Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases 2024Advancements in retinal imaging have augmented our understanding of the pathology and structure-function relationships of retinal disease. No single diagnostic test is...
Advancements in retinal imaging have augmented our understanding of the pathology and structure-function relationships of retinal disease. No single diagnostic test is sufficient; rather, diagnostic and management strategies increasingly involve the synthesis of multiple imaging modalities. This literature review and editorial offer practical clinical guidelines for how the retina specialist can use multimodal imaging to manage retinal conditions. Various imaging modalities offer information on different aspects of retinal structure and function. For example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and B-scan ultrasonography can provide insights into the microstructural anatomy; fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and OCT angiography (OCTA) can reveal vascular integrity and perfusion status; and near-infrared reflectance and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) can characterize molecular components within tissues. Managing retinal vascular diseases often includes fundus photography, OCT, OCTA, and FA to evaluate for macular edema, retinal ischemia, and the secondary complications of neovascularization (NV). OCT and FAF play a key role in diagnosing and treating maculopathies. FA, OCTA, and ICGA can help identify macular NV, posterior uveitis, and choroidal venous insufficiency, which guides treatment strategies. Finally, OCT and B-scan ultrasonography can help with preoperative planning and prognostication in vitreoretinal surgical conditions. Today, the retina specialist has access to numerous retinal imaging modalities that can augment the clinical examination to help diagnose and manage retinal conditions. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of each modality is critical to maximizing its clinical utility.
PubMed: 38770073
DOI: 10.1177/24741264241237012 -
Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases 2024To report the characteristics and prevalence of a previously undescribed circular perivascular fundus autofluorescence (FAF) pattern in paraneoplastic and...
To report the characteristics and prevalence of a previously undescribed circular perivascular fundus autofluorescence (FAF) pattern in paraneoplastic and nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy. This retrospective case series used clinical and imaging data extracted from charts of patients with autoimmune retinopathy in whom FAF imaging was performed from the initial presentation to the last visit. Six of 25 patients with autoimmune retinopathy and FAF imaging developed circular perivascular FAF changes. Three patients had paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy, and 3 had nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy. The lesions appeared a mean of 25 months after symptom onset; however, the timing varied from months to years and did not correlate with the overall disease course. The lesions were initially typically hyperautofluorescent and varied in progression, distribution, and quality. Optical coherence tomography showed hyperreflective subretinal deposits in the corresponding areas in most patients. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases with this circular perivascular FAF pattern in nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy. This finding could also be a useful diagnostic imaging marker in some patients with autoimmune retinopathy.
PubMed: 38770066
DOI: 10.1177/24741264241237023 -
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation May 2024There is currently no tool available to assess the severity of damage in uveitis due to Behçet's syndrome (BS). In this preliminary study, we developed a new grading...
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE
There is currently no tool available to assess the severity of damage in uveitis due to Behçet's syndrome (BS). In this preliminary study, we developed a new grading system to evaluate ocular damage and assessed it in a prospective cohort.
METHODS
A specialist in BS uveitis (YO) developed a grading system for ocular damage with five grades based on the extent of damage in the posterior segment. YO trained a senior and general ophthalmologist with sample fundus images. BS patients who had undergone color fundus photography during their routine visits in attack-free periods were included in the study. The color fundus photos of this prospective cohort were evaluated blindly by YO and his trainees using the new grading tool. Inter and intra-observer agreement between the graders were assessed by Cohen's kappa analysis. The evaluation of YO was considered as the gold standard.
RESULTS
One hundred eighty-five eyes of 108 (29 F/79 M) patients with BS uveitis were graded for damage by two investigators. Their mean age was 38,58 years and their median ocular disease duration was 13 years. The gold standard and the two investigators exhibited substantial concordance with the ocular damage grading system. The inter- and intra-observer agreement were also almost perfect.
CONCLUSION
The newly developed ocular damage grading system enables the standardization of damage severity in BS uveitis. It is imperative to conduct internal and external validations across diverse cohorts. Furthermore, future studies should investigate its correlation with other multimodal imaging methods such as fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography.
PubMed: 38768092
DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2024.2352059 -
Cureus Apr 2024Uveitis is the inflammation of the uveal tract (i.e., iris, ciliary body, and choroid). Uveitis is categorized into the following three types based on the anatomical...
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uveal tract (i.e., iris, ciliary body, and choroid). Uveitis is categorized into the following three types based on the anatomical location of inflammation: anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveitis. Severe cases may lead to panuveitis, where all three layers may become inflamed potentially resulting in permanent vision loss. Uveitis can arise from different underlying disorders, including infectious causes or autoimmune disorders. Syphilis and Lyme disease are uncommon causes of uveitis. Eye involvement can occur at any stage in Lyme disease, characterized by diverse manifestations such as conjunctivitis, episcleritis, keratitis, uveitis, neuroretinitis, and retinal vasculitis. Patients may present with symptoms of blurred vision, eye pain or discomfort, visual floaters, headache, or intolerance to light. Patients can risk vision loss if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
PubMed: 38765401
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58608 -
BMJ Case Reports May 2024
Topics: Humans; White Dot Syndromes; Scotoma; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Male; Female; Adult
PubMed: 38760027
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-258150 -
Archives of Medical Science : AMS 2024To survey the potential correlation between the application of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in individuals with type 2...
INTRODUCTION
To survey the potential correlation between the application of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was conducted. The T2DM patients using SGLT2 inhibitors and those taking other anti-diabetic medications were assigned to the SGLT2 group and the control group, respectively, with a 1 : 2 ratio via the propensity score-matching (PSM) method. The major outcome in this study is the development of uveitis according to the diagnostic codes. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to yield the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between the groups.
RESULTS
There were 147 and 371 new uveitis episodes in the SGLT2 and control groups after the follow-up period up to 5 years. The incidence of uveitis in the SGLT2 group (aHR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.602-0.899, = 0.0007) was significantly lower than that in the control group after adjusting for the effect of all the confounders. In the subgroup analyses, the SGLT2 inhibitors showed a higher correlation with low uveitis incidence in T2DM patients aged under 50 than T2DM individuals aged over 50 years ( = 0.0012), while the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the incidence of anterior and posterior uveitis development was similar ( = 0.7993).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of SGLT2 inhibitors could be an independent protective factor for uveitis development in T2DM population.
PubMed: 38757017
DOI: 10.5114/aoms/174228 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2024Considering the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus, it's necessary to direct attention to the adverse effects...
Considering the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus, it's necessary to direct attention to the adverse effects associated with vaccines in a limited group of populations. Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) following COVID-19 vaccination is a rare adverse reaction associated with COVID-19 vaccines. In this systematic review, we collected 19 articles with 27 patients up to November 1, 2023, summarizing the basic information, clinical manifestations, examinations, treatments, and recoveries of the 27 patients. The 27 enrolled patients (6 males, 21 females) had a median age of 34.1 years (15-71 years old) and were mainly from 5 regions: Asia (8), the Mediterranean region (8), North America (7), Oceania (3) and Brazil (1). Symptoms occurred post-first dose in 9 patients, post-second dose in 14 (1 with symptoms after both), post-third dose in 1, and both post-second and booster doses in 1, while details on 2 cases were not disclosed. Treatments included tapered oral steroids (6), topical steroids (3), tapered prednisone with antiviral drugs and vitamins (1), and valacyclovir and acetazolamide (1), while 16 received no treatment. All patients experienced symptom improvement, and nearly all patients ultimately recovered. Moreover, we summarized possible hypotheses concerning the mechanism of COVID-19 vaccine-associated MEWDS. The findings provide insights into the clinical aspects of COVID-19 vaccine-associated MEWDS. More attention should be given to patients with vaccine-associated MEWDS, and necessary treatment should be provided to patients experiencing a substantial decline in visual acuity to improve their quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Adult; COVID-19 Vaccines; Young Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adolescent; COVID-19; Aged; White Dot Syndromes; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38752704
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2350812