Tocilizumab for Cystoid Macular Edema Secondary to Immune Recovery Uveitis in a Patient with Contraindications to Long-Term Systemic Corticosteroid.

: To report a case of cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to immune recovery uveitis (IRU) in a patient with previous history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and leukemia, which was successfully treated with tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. : The clinical records of the case were reviewed, focusing on demographics, image findings, and clinical course. : A 17-year-old female with a past medical history of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) undergoing chemotherapy for two years presented with active CMV retinitis.

Trends in nationwide incidence of uveitis in South Korea using the National Health Insurance claims database from 2010 to 2021.

Objectives: To investigate the population-based incidence of uveitis and the differences between anterior and non-anterior uveitis using the comprehensive Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database.

Methods: We extracted data of patients who visited the clinic and were diagnosed with uveitis (based on Korean Classification of Diseases) from 2010 to 2021. The incidence of uveitis, differences between the demographics, and the underlying co-morbidities of anterior uveitis, non-anterior uveitis, and control groups were investigated.

Efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous repository corticotropin injection in refractory ocular inflammatory diseases.

Background: Repository corticotropin injection (RCI) has been suggested to exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in ocular inflammation. The index retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous RCI in patients with active scleritis or uveitis.

Main Body: Medical records of patients who were diagnosed with different types of active scleritis or uveitis and received RCI for more than six months at a tertiary eye center were reviewed.

Reply.

We wrote the letter in response to the insightful comments made by Dr. Vassallo J regarding our recently published study, “Association of Oral Montelukast with Reduced Odds of Developing Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” Our study underscored the potential treatment for AMD through managing mast cell activation.

Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane flap versus pars plana vitrectomy with conventional internal limiting membrane peeling for large macular hole.

Background: Macular hole (MH) is a full-thickness defect in the central portion of the retina that causes loss of central vision. According to the usual definition, a large MH has a diameter greater than 400 µm at the narrowest point. For closure of MH, there is evidence that pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling achieves better anatomical outcomes than standard PPV.

ASSOCIATION OF ORAL MONTELUKAST WITH REDUCED ODDS OF DEVELOPING EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the association of oral montelukast, selective antagonism for cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1, with reduced odds of exudative age-related macular degeneration (exAMD) development.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted using institutional cohort finder tool, and included 1913 patients with exAMD (ICD: H35.32 and 362.

Evaluation of correlation between Diopsys® NOVA™ fixed-luminance flicker ERG and Diagnosys® Espion 2™ flicker ERG parameters.

Purpose: Diopsys® NOVA™ is a novel full-field electroretinography (ffERG) device that can make rapid measurements of retinal electrophysiologic function. Diagnosys® Espion 2™ is a clinical gold-standard ERG device. This study aimed to investigate whether light-adapted Diopsys® NOVA™ fixed-luminance flicker ffERG magnitude and implicit time (converted from phase) measurements correlate with light-adapted Diagnosys® Espion 2™ flicker ffERG amplitude and implicit time measurements, respectively.

Posterior Segment Ocular Findings in HLA-B27 Positive Patients with Uveitis: A Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of posterior segment manifestations in patients with HLA-B27-associated uveitis using wide field imaging.

Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with HLA-B27-associated uveitis from a tertiary uveitis clinic were reviewed. Posterior segment involvements including but not limited to peripheral vasculitis, optic disc inflammation, and macula edema documented based on medical records and various imaging modalities including wide field fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography, were noted.

Birdshot chorioretinopathy in an HLA-A29 positive Asian patient.

Purpose: To present a case of birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR) in a Chinese patient with HLA-A29 positivity.

Observations: A 45-year-old Chinese female presented at a tertiary Ophthalmology Clinic with complaints of frequent headaches as well as blurred vision, photophobia, and pressure in the left eye (OS). The patient had a significant ocular history of left orbital cavernous hemangioma status post lateral orbitotomy and resection.

Cataract surgery in patients with retinitis pigmentosa: systematic review.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited bilateral retinal degenerative disease with an incidence of 1 in 4000 people. RP affects more than 1 million individuals worldwide. Although night blindness and restricted visual field are the most typical symptoms of these individuals, generalized vision loss due to cataracts can be expected in the latter stages of the disease.

Acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement syndrome (AIBSES) with retinal vasculitis.

Purpose: To report the clinical and anatomical features of an unusual case of acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement syndrome (AIBSES) with retinal vasculitis.

Observations: A 39-year-old patient, who was a known case of chronic headache with nonspecific visual symptoms for nine years, developed scotomas in her right eye. She was initially diagnosed with AIBSES which had been stable, but later worsened with symptoms of subsequent blind spot enlargement and photopsia on the left eye a year later.

Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in the Management of Non-Infectious Uveitis Failed with Conventional Immunomodulatory and Anti-TNFα Therapies.

Purpose: To determine the outcomes of intravenous (IV) tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with non-infectious uveitis who failed with conventional immunomodulatory and anti-TNFα therapies.

Methods: Records of seven patients with non-infectious uveitis treated with monthly IV TCZ (4-10 mg/kg) or biweekly IV TCZ (8 mg/kg) were reviewed. Outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, anterior chamber cell and flare grade, vitreous haze, central subfield thickness (CST), and fluorescein angiography (FA) score.

Multifocal electroretinographic findings in angiographic macular leakage in the setting of intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis.

Objective: To evaluate the functional implications of angiographic macular leakage without the presence of intraretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis.

Methods: Retrospective study on patients with a diagnosis of intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis. Patients who had fluorescein angiography, OCT, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) within a predetermined time frame were included.

Bilateral retinal vasculitis associated with cold agglutinin disease treated with obinutuzumab and infliximab.

Purpose: To describe the clinical course and management of a patient with bilateral retinal vasculitis associated with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) treated with obinutuzumab and infliximab.

Observations: A 69-year-old Hispanic woman was referred to a tertiary Uveitis Clinic with progressively worsening blurry vision, right eye (OD) worse than left eye (OS). Past ocular history was significant for epiretinal membranes in both eyes (OU).

Effect of Pupil Size on Fixed-Luminance Flicker Full-Field Electroretinogram Magnitude.

Purpose: Diopsys NOVA fixed-luminance flicker full-field electroretinogram (ffERG) device is a potential adjunct to conventional flicker ffERG testing for assessing cone cell function. Magnitude of measured electrical response is known to vary with pupil size in conventional ffERG testing. The index study characterizes the relationship between magnitude of measured electrical activity and pupil size, both pupil diameter and pupil area, for this device.