The enigma of sclera-specific autoimmunity in scleritis.

Scleritis is a severe and painful ophthalmic disorder, in which a pathogenic role for collagen-directed autoimmunity was repeatedly suggested. We evaluated the presence of sclera-specific antibodies in a large cohort of patients with non-infectious scleritis. Therefore, we prospectively collected serum samples from 121 patients with non-infectious scleritis in a multicenter cohort study in the Netherlands.

Assessment of conjunctival, episcleral and scleral thickness in healthy individuals using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To determine the thickness of the conjunctiva, episclera and sclera in healthy individuals using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Methods: We prospectively included 107 healthy individuals of different age groups (18-39 years, 40-54 years, 55-69 years and ≥70 years). For each eye, AS-OCT scans of four quadrants (temporal, nasal, superior and inferior) were acquired.

Prognostic factors of cataract surgery in patients with uveitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of patients with uveitis undergoing cataract surgery and to identify possible factors influencing the visual prognosis and the development of postoperative complications.

Methods: Retrospective study of all patients with uveitis who underwent cataract surgery between January 2015 and February 2020 in our tertiary referral center.

Results: A total of 78 eyes from 78 patients were included in the study.

Clinical and Microbiological Manifestations of Endogenous Endophthalmitis in Tertiary Care Hospital, Northern Thailand.

Purpose: To determine the characteristics, primary sources, pathogens, risk factors, and visual outcomes in patients with endogenous endophthalmitis (EE).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 61 consecutive patients with EE (74 affected eyes) and reported on prevalence, clinical courses, prognostic factors and visual outcomes.

Results: Prevalence of EE was 5% of all patients with endophthalmitis.

Evaluation of pre-processing methods for tear fluid proteomics using proximity extension assays.

Tear fluid forms a potential source for biomarker identification, and can be minimal invasively collected via Schirmer strips. The lack of knowledge on the processing of Schirmer strips however complicates the analysis and between-study comparisons. We studied two different pre-processing methods, specifically the use of punches of the strip versus elution of the strip in a buffer.

Scleritis in rheumatoid arthritis: Before and during biologic era.

Objectives: Scleritis represents a severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent clinical observations suggest a decreasing incidence of scleritis in RA, attributed to improved treatment options. Our study reports on the incidence and clinical characteristics of scleritis in RA observed in the biological era and reflects on our results in a historical perspective.

The Presence of Pigmentation on Central Anterior Lens Capsule in the Human Leukocyte Antigen B27-Associated Anterior Uveitis and Its Value in Clinical Diagnosis.

Purpose: To report on the value of presence of pigmentation on central anterior lens capsule (PioLe) in HLA B27- associated anterior uveitis (HLA B27-AU).

Methods: 268 patients (320 eyes) with AU were reviewed. Two diagnostic models to predict probability of HLA-B27-AU were developed.

Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes: Visual Outcomes and Prognostic Factors.

Objectives: To evaluate the associations between anatomical changes and visual outcomes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Materials And Methods: We performed a prospective study of 130 consecutive idiopathic ERM patients and report their visual outcomes and the factors associated with visual outcome and anatomical changes.

Results: Of 130 eyes of 130 patients, 87 eyes underwent surgery, while the remaining 43 eyes were observed.

Subconjunctival Rituximab Administration for the Treatment of Scleritis.

Purpose: Scleritis is a sight-threatening inflammation, which is commonly accompanied by severe complications. Aggressive systemic immunosuppressive treatment, which is frequently needed, can be associated with serious complications, and might therefore be (temporarily) contraindicated.

Methods: We report on the outcomes of three patients with severe, active, non-infectious scleritis, refractory or intolerant to systemic treatment, who received subconjunctival rituximab (RTX) injections.

Clinical Relevance of Autoantibodies and Inflammatory Parameters in Non-infectious Scleritis.

Purpose: Scleritis is a potentially blinding disorder, with highly unpredictable course and outcome. We analyzed the prevalence and clinical relevance of autoantibodies and inflammatory parameters in non-infectious scleritis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of laboratory findings in all consecutive patients at the department of Ophthalmology of the Erasmus MC with non-infectious scleritis.

CAUSES AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF MASQUERADE SYNDROMES IN INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATORY DISEASES.

Objective: To identify the clinical characteristics and prevalence of neoplastic and nonneoplastic inflammatory masquerade syndromes (IMSs) in a tertiary center and determine the useful diagnostic tests.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive 1906 patients diagnosed with intraocular inflammatory disease.

Results: Of all patients initially diagnosed with intraocular inflammatory disease, we identified 116 (6%) patients with noninflammatory causes (neoplastic IMSs in 36/116; 31% and nonneoplastic IMSs in 52/116; 45%).

Current insights in the pathogenesis of scleritis.

Scleritis is a sight-threatening inflammation characterized by severe pain and redness of the eye. It can cause blindness by severe complications like scleral and corneal necrosis, keratitis, and uveitis. The pathogenesis of scleritis is largely unknown due to a combination of the rarity of the disease, the little available human tissue-based research material, and the lack of animal models.

No Evidence for Circulating Retina Specific Autoreactive T-cells in Latent Tuberculosis-associated Uveitis and Sarcoid Uveitis.

: To detect circulating retina-specific autoreactive CD4 T-cells and antiretinal antibodies (ARA) in latent tuberculosis (TB)-associated uveitis or sarcoid uveitis patients.: The presence of crude retinal extract (RE) autoreactive CD4 T-cells was determined by a highly sensitive flowcytometric-based technique examining co-expression of CD25 and CD134 (OX40) on RE stimulated PBMC. The presence of ARA in available matched serum samples was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence.

Prevalence of Positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test in Uveitis and its Clinical Implications in a Country Nonendemic for Tuberculosis.

Purpose: To report on the prevalence and clinical implications of positive QuantiFERON-Gold (QFT-G) test results in the diagnostic evaluation of a large cohort of consecutive patients with uveitis in the Netherlands.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study included 710 consecutive patients who all underwent evaluation for uveitis including QFT-G testing.

Causes of Hypertensive Anterior Uveitis in Thailand.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of viral infections in patients with hypertensive anterior uveitis in Thailand from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with anterior uveitis with intraocular pressure (IOP) above 25 mmHg were included for PCR analysis for cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex (HSV), varicella-zoster (VZV), rubella, chikungunya and Zika virus.

Results: The prevalence of PCR-positive results was 32%, including 19% for CMV, 10% for HSV, and 3% for VZV; PCR for other tested viruses demonstrated negative results.

Successful Tocilizumab Treatment for Scleritis.

To present a rare case of scleritis associated with a prior diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) that was unresponsive to glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), methotrexate, and azathioprine, but reached and maintained a full remission with tocilizumab. A 62-year-old Caucasian female presented with scleritis and headache. Four years earlier, the patient was diagnosed with GCA.

Development of Acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like Syndrome during the Treatment Course with Vemurafenib for Metastatic Melanoma.

: To report on ocular Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH)-like syndrome under vemurafenib treatment for metastatic melanoma.: A case report.: Description of clinical and imaging manifestations including fundus photography, fluorescein, and indocyanine green angiography.

Clinical Manifestations, Prognosis, and Vaccination Status of Patients With Rubella Virus-Associated Uveitis.

Purpose: To assess the clinical and laboratory manifestations and vaccination status of uveitis patients positive for rubella virus (RV) in aqueous humor and investigate its relationship to Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS).

Methods: Retrospective study of all uveitis patients, positive for RV in aqueous humor analysis (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and/or Goldmann-Witmer coefficient [GWC]) between January 2010 and October 2016 at the ophthalmology departments in the Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam) and University Medical Center Utrecht. Outcomes of aqueous analyses of FUS patients during this period were assessed.

Combined cellular and soluble mediator analysis for improved diagnosis of vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Purpose: Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma [(P)VRL]) is a rare malignancy of the eye localized in the retina, vitreous or choroid. Here, we aim to determine the value of the combination of innovative diagnostic methods for accurate differentiation between (P)VRL and non-(P)VRL in patients with suspect uveitis or vitritis.

Methods: Multicolour flow cytometric immunophenotyping of cells in the vitreous samples was performed using the EuroFlow small sample tube.

Lymphopaenia as a predictor of sarcoidosis in patients with a first episode of uveitis.

Background/aims: The diagnostic properties of conventional diagnostic tests (ACE and chest radiography) for sarcoidosis-associated uveitis are not ideal. The diagnostic value of lymphopaenia for sarcoidosis-associated uveitis is investigated.

Methods: A retrospective study of 191 consecutive patients with a first uveitis episode visiting the ophthalmology department (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands).