Autoimmune Inflammatory Eye Disease: Demystifying Clinical Presentations for the Internist

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Provide a framework for recognizing key symptoms and clinical findings in patients with autoimmune inflammatory eye disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most common manifestations of autoimmune inflammatory eye disease are episcleritis, scleritis, uveitis (anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Etiologies can be idiopathic or in association with a systemic autoimmune condition. Referral of patients who may have scleritis is critical for patients presenting with red eyes. Referral of patients who may have uveitis is critical for patients presenting often with floaters and vision complaints. Attention should also be directed to aspects of the history that might suggest a diagnosis of a systemic autoimmune condition, immunosuppression, drug-induced uveitis, or the possibility of a masquerade condition. Infectious etiologies should be ruled out in all cases. Patients with autoimmune inflammatory eye disease may present with ocular or systemic symptoms alone, or in combination. Collaboration with ophthalmologists and other relevant specialists is vital to optimal long-term medical care.

Scleritis and Episcleritis following Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Vaccination

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines have been reported to have ocular side effects including scleritis and episcleritis.

PURPOSE

To report scleritis and episcleritis within a month following administration of COVID-19 vaccine.

METHODS

Retrospective case series.

RESULTS

15 eyes of 12 consecutive patients with scleritis and episcleritis from March 2021 to September 2021 were included. The mean time of onset of symptoms in patients with scleritis was 15.7 days (range, 4-30) and for episcleritis it was 13.2 days (range 2-30). Patients received COVISHIELD™ (10 patients) and COVAXIN™ (2 patients). Five patients had denovo inflammation and seven had recurrent inflammation. Episcleritis patients were treated with topical steroids and systemic COX2 inhibitors while patients with scleritis were treated with topical steroids/oral steroids/antiviral medications depending on the aetiology.

CONCLUSION

Scleritis and episcleritis following COVID-19 vaccination are milder and do not require intensive immunosuppression except in rare cases.

The ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis

PURPOSE

Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a rare, multi-system, inflammatory disorder. Ocular disease is estimated to occur in 14-67% of patients with RPC, and any ocular structure can be affected. Published case reports and series of RPC were analysed to determine the frequency and nature of the ocular manifestations of RPC, including the age and gender distribution.

METHODS

A literature search of the MEDLINE database for case reports and series on RPC was conducted in October 2021 using search terms [relapsing polychondritis (MeSH Major Topic)] OR [relapsing polychondritis (Title/Abstract)]. Articles were included if the diagnosis of RPC was confirmed using established diagnostic criteria and if the paper described the clinical features of patients with RPC.

RESULTS

546 articles (454 case reports and 92 case series) described the clinical features in a total of 2414 patients with RPC. 49% of patients with RPC had ocular involvement, and this was a presenting feature in 21%. The most common ocular manifestations were scleritis (32%), episcleritis (31%) and uveitis (23%).

CONCLUSION

Many patients with RPC will be seen by an ophthalmologist during the course of their disease. Knowledge and awareness of RPC and its ocular manifestations is therefore essential to enable the ophthalmologist to make the diagnosis.

Characterization of patients with ocular pain evaluated with ultrasound

BACKGROUND

The cause of ocular pain in the quiet eye is challenging to diagnose. It is a common complaint in the ophthalmology clinic and there are no actual guidelines on the exams that should be ordered initially. We decided to characterize patients with eye pain and normal ophthalmological examination who underwent ocular ultrasound, their findings, and systemic work-up.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ocular ultrasound due to ocular pain and no clinical findings on initial slit-lamp examination. We evaluated patient characteristics and analyzed systemic work-up results in contrast to ocular ultrasound findings.

RESULTS

Two hundred and three patients with normal slit-lamp examination and ocular pain were evaluated using ocular ultrasound at Clinica Barraquer. Most of the patients were women (88.7%), and 55% were older than 50 years. Nearly all of the patients had echographic findings, 87.7% of patients showed evidence of scleral scars, from which 66.5% had signs of activity, and 42.9% had thickened extraocular muscles. In general, most patients with ocular pain had normal results on systemic work-up, but the patients who did have positive results tended to have echographic findings.

CONCLUSION

Posterior inflammation is present in most patients with ocular pain in a quiet eye, and echography is an optimal tool to identify this. There is a tendency towards abnormal autoimmune test results and echographic findings. This should be considered in the initial work-up of these patients, given the importance of early diagnosis and the threat of vision loss with severe inflammation.

Inflammatory eye disease for rheumatologists

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides a framework for understanding inflammatory eye disease diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management for rheumatologists. Uveitis, scleritis, episcleritis, peripheral ulcerative keratitis, and orbital inflammation are all discussed. The goal is to facilitate the development of approaches to inflammatory eye diseases that will help rheumatologists co-manage these patients with eye care providers specializing in ocular inflammation.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent years, studies have aimed to advance biologic treatments and define standard-of-care therapy. Inflammatory eye diseases are highly heterogeneous and often rare, which poses significant challenges to their research and the interpretation of existing data. To date, glucocorticoids, mycophenolate, methotrexate, and TNF inhibitors remain the mainstay of treatment options for many of these diseases.

SUMMARY

Patients with inflammatory eye diseases require multidisciplinary care for best outcomes, frequently including rheumatologists. Understanding the differentials, diagnostics, and treatment are essential to preserving vision in these patients. The diverse nature of the disease processes within this field requires focusing on specific disease phenotypes and endotypes in research and clinical practice.

Predictors of glaucoma in patients with uveitis and scleritis

BACKGROUND

To examine risk factors for development of glaucoma in a large cohort of subjects with uveitis and scleritis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of subjects diagnosed with uveitis or scleritis between 2006 and 2019 at Auckland District Health Board. Subjects were excluded if they had glaucoma due to another cause. Main outcome measure was development of glaucoma. Data for local steroid use was not available.

RESULTS

3462 eyes of 2414 subjects were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 5.7 years (total follow-up time 19,897 eye years). Median age was 44.3 years and 1189 (49.3%) were female. Glaucoma developed in 222 eyes (6.3%) during the follow-up. Five-year cumulative risk of glaucoma was 6.2% (CI 5.0-7.5%) for anterior uveitis, 5.4% (CI 3.2-9.0%) for intermediate uveitis, 1.6% (CI 0.4-6.7%) for posterior uveitis, 8.7% (CI 6.5-11.7%) for panuveitis, and 3.2% (CI 1.0-9.5%) for scleritis. Five-year cumulative risk of glaucoma was lowest in HLA-B27 uveitis at 0.9% (CI 0.4-2.1%) and highest in viral uveitis 15.1% (CI 10.1-22.3%), sarcoidosis 9.9% (CI 6.1-15.9%) and tuberculosis 9.7% (CI 5.4-17.0%). On multivariate analysis, risk factors for development of glaucoma were older age at presentation, higher presenting intraocular pressure, chronic inflammation, and cystoid macular oedema.

CONCLUSIONS

Glaucoma is a common complication of uveitis and scleritis and was more frequent in older subjects, high presenting IOP, chronic inflammation and those with cystoid macular oedema. Local steroid therapy contributes to this, but is not quantifiable in this study. Targeted screening is required to avoid irreversible progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Scleral Proteome in Noninfectious Scleritis Unravels Upregulation of Filaggrin-2 and Signs of Neovascularization

Purpose

Scleritis is a severe inflammatory ocular disorder with unknown pathogenesis. We investigated healthy sclera as well as sclera affected by noninfectious scleritis for differentially expressed proteins using a mass spectrometry approach.

Methods

We collected scleral samples of enucleated eyes due to severe noninfectious scleritis (n = 3), and control scleral tissues (n = 5), all exenterated eyes for eyelid carcinomas (n = 4), or choroidal melanoma (n = 1) without scleral invasion. Samples were prepared for the nano liquid-chromatography mass spectrometer (LC-MS), data were analyzed using proteomics software (Scaffold), and is available via ProteomeXchange (identifier PXD038727). Samples were also stained for immuno-histopathological evaluation.

Results

Mass spectrometry identified 629 proteins within the healthy and diseased scleral tissues, whereof collagen type XII, VI, and I were the most abundantly expressed protein. Collagen type II-XII was also present. Filaggrin-2, a protein that plays a crucial role in epidermal barrier function, was found upregulated in all scleritis cases. In addition, other epithelial associated proteins were upregulated (such as keratin 33b, 34, and 85, epiplakin, transglutaminase-3, galectin 7, and caspase-14) in scleritis. Further, upregulated proteins involved in regulation of the cytoskeleton (vinculin and myosin 9), and housekeeping proteins were found (elongation factor-2 and cytoplasmic dynein 1) in our study. Upregulation of filaggrin-2 and myosin-9 was confirmed with immunohistochemistry, the latter protein showing co-localization with the endothelial cell marker ETC-related gene (ERG), indicating neovascularization in scleral tissue affected by scleritis.

Conclusions

We found upregulation of filaggrin-2 and signs of neovascularization in scleral tissue of patients with noninfectious scleritis. Further research, ideally including more scleritis cases, is needed to validate our findings.

Mendelian Randomization Shows a Causal Effect of Low Vitamin D on Non-infectious Uveitis and Scleritis Risk

PURPOSE

To investigate a causal relationship between Vitamin D levels and non-infectious uveitis and scleritis using Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques.

DESIGN

Two-sample Mendelian randomization case-control study.

METHODS

The study setting was a biobank of an academic, integrated health care system. The patient population comprised 375 case patients with a non-infectious uveitis and/or scleritis diagnosis and no diagnosis of infectious, trauma-related, or drug-induced uveitis/scleritis. In addition, there were 4167 controls with no uveitis or scleritis diagnosis. Causal effect estimates of low 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25OHD) on uveitis/scleritis risk were calculated.

RESULTS

We found an association of genetically decreased 25OHD with uveitis/scleritis risk (odds ratio [OR] = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.01-4.64, P = .049, per SD decrease in log25OHD). In a first sensitivity MR analysis excluding the genetic variants that are unlikely to have a role in biologically active 25OHD, effect estimates were consistent with those from the primary analysis (OR = 2.38, 95% CI =1.06-5.36, P = 0.035, per SD of log25OHD). Furthermore, in a second sensitivity analysis using only the 6 variants within the CYP2R1 locus (which encodes 25OHD hydroxylase, the liver enzyme responsible for converting Vitamin D to 25OHD), genetically decreased 25OHD was strongly associated with increased uveitis/scleritis risk (OR = 6.42, 95% CI = 3.19-12.89, P = 1.7 × 10^-7, per SD of log25OHD).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a causal relationship between low Vitamin D levels and higher risk of non-infectious uveitis and scleritis. Vitamin D supplementation may be a low-cost, low-risk intervention to mitigate non-infectious uveitis and scleritis risk, and should be explored in a prospective trial.

Bilateral posterior scleritis due to giant cell arteritis

A woman aged mid 70s with mild learning difficulty presented with eye symptoms, headache and shoulder pains. She was found to have bilateral posterior scleritis secondary to giant cell arteritis. Posterior scleritis is a potentially blinding condition, with ambiguous symptoms and signs, therefore diagnosis is commonly delayed. This patient was seen in General Practice as well as in Accident and Emergency, where diagnoses of acute angle closure glaucoma as well as iritis were rightfully considered. Her symptoms persisted for 11 days before ophthalmic opinion was sought. Thorough assessment of a painful red eye as well as knowledge of these red-flag signs may allow early treatment and a better outcome for patients. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has published guidance on how to assess and manage visual loss in people with learning difficulties, including recognising 'symptoms' such as hesitancy on steps, eye rubbing and loss of interest in activities.

Successful control of scleritis caused by Nocardia farcinica: A case report

RATIONALE

Nocardia farcinica is an opportunistic pathogen that rarely causes ocular infections. This study reviewed a case of N. farcinica-mediated scleritis involving the corneal limbus.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 56-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Keratology of Jinan Second People's Hospital due to "a red and swollen right eye accompanied with severe pain for >1 month." He denied any history of hypertension, diabetes, systemic immune diseases and eye surgery.

DIAGNOSES

Corneal defect and scleral necrosis were observed by slit lamp. Combination of anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ophthalmic ultrasound biomicroscopy was used for diagnosis and evaluation of corneal and scleral conditions. Culture and metagenomic sequencing verified that the pathogen of scleritis was N. farcinica.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated by sulfacetamide sodium eye drops, oral administration of sulfamethoxazole tablets, amikacin anterior chamber flushing, scleral debridement, and allogeneic scleral transplantation.

OUTCOMES

The disease was successfully controlled.

LESSONS

Infectious scleritis caused by N. farcinica is extremely rare. Culture of pathogenic microorganisms remains to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of infectious eye diseases. Metagenomic sequencing shows potential promise in the diagnosis of infectious eye diseases. N. farcinica is sensitive to sulfonamides and amikacin.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis, nodular episcleritis, and pulmonary nodules as the initial signs of rheumatic arthritis: A Case Report

Background

Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It typically occurs in patients with extra-articular manifestations. Here we reported a case of PUK with nodular episcleritis and pulmonary nodules that occurred in the same patient without joint involvement.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old Chinese woman, exhibited a partial crescent-shaped marginal corneal ulcer in the right eye at admission and the ulcer developed rapidly into nearly 360-degree ulcers in both eyes within one week. Nodular episcleritis was observed in the right eye. Conjunctival biopsy revealed vasculitis. Her rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibody were positive, while anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA) and anti-protease 3 were negative. Pulmonary nodules were found, without joint involvement. The ocular condition did not relieve under the topical and systemic use of corticosteroids, or under other immunosuppressive agents until the infliximab therapy. PUK recurrence was observed after the discontinuation of infliximab.

Conclusions

Rapidly deteriorated PUK with nodular episcleritis and pulmonary nodules occurred in the same patient is a special case of RA without joint involvement. This case reinforces the concept that RV may be the initial sign of RA. Infliximab can be used to prevent further progress of RA-related PUK in some refractory cases.

Ocular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article summarizes the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and common ocular manifestations that it is associated with: keratoconjunctivitis sicca, episcleritis, scleritis, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Newer biologic agents are being used to effectively treat rheumatoid arthritis and its ocular manifestations.

SUMMARY

The eye is a frequent extra-articular site of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ocular involvement can range from more benign conditions such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca and episcleritis, to potentially vision and globe-threatening diseases like scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis. Clinicians should be aware of these ophthalmic manifestations and the various treatment options that are available. Coordination between ophthalmology and rheumatology is helpful in the treatment of these patients.

Posterior scleritis with choroidal detachments and periaortitis associated with IgG4-related disease: A case report

BACKGROUND

IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RDs) are known to disrupt the functioning of multiple organs and are usually associated with mass lesions. Periaortitis, an inflammation of the adventitia and tissues surrounding the aorta, is an example of an IgG4-RD. In ophthalmology, an enlargement of the lacrimal gland is a well-known IgG4-RD, and scleritis has also been reported to be an IgG4-RD although it is rare. We report our findings in a case with periaortitis and posterior scleritis that were present at the same time, and they responded well to systemic steroid therapy.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

A 79-year-old man with dementia and Lewy bodies was referred to our hospital because of uveitis in both eyes that did not respond to topical steroid therapy.

DIAGNOSIS

We found anterior scleritis in the right eye and uveitis with shallow anterior chambers in both eyes. B-mode echography showed choroidal detachments (CDs) and a T sign in the right eye. The CDs were assumed to have progressed to the posterior scleritis which then caused the severe vision reduction. The patient was referred to the Internal Medicine Department because the systemic inflammatory disease was suspected due to the high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the fast erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Systemic CT scans showed periaortitis only at the lumbar region. Because of the high levels of IgG4, the patient was diagnosed with IgG4-RD.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received intravenous and oral steroid therapy. The first 125 mg of methylprednisolone (mPSL) for 3 days was intravenous, after which it was switched to oral prednisolone (PSL) therapy and the dosage was gradually reduced.

OUTCOMES

The posterior scleritis and periaortitis responded well to the systemic steroid therapy. One year and a half after the onset of the disease, the patient is still taking 5 mg of PSL.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleritis with multiple CDs and periaortitis were strongly suspected to be due to IgG4-RD although no definitive diagnosis was made by biopsy of the lesions. Clinicians should be aware that IgG4-RD should be considered as one of the causes of posterior scleritis.

IDIOPATHIC PENETRATION OF CILIA INTO THE POSTERIOR SEGMENT PRESENTING AS SECTORAL SCLERITIS WITH PROGRESSIVE INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATION

PURPOSE

To report two cases of idiopathic intraocular cilia presenting as sectoral scleritis with progressive intraocular inflammation.

METHODS

Both patients were treated with intravitreal antibiotics and underwent pars plana vitrectomy where the cilia were removed and identified on histopathology.

RESULTS

One patient developed a retinal detachment while being treated for presumed endophthalmitis. The intraocular cilium was discovered during pars plana vitrectomy. In the second case, the cilium was detected on dilated fundus exam and was believed to be the cause of the patient's scleritis and vitritis. Therapeutic vitrectomy was performed. In both cases, the cilia were positively identified on histopathology.

CONCLUSION

Idiopathic intraocular penetration of cilia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sectoral scleritis with progressive intraocular inflammation.

Primary Low Grade Follicular Lymphoma of the Conjunctivae Mimicking Nodular Anterior Scleritis: A Case Report

Conjunctival lymphomas are rare entities and may present with non-specific ocular signs that resemble inflammation. They may mimic common ocular pathologies, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. The treatment options of conjunctival lymphomas should be tailored to individuals due to their indolent nature compared to other adnexal lymphomas. Herein, the authors report a case of a primary follicular conjunctival lymphoma in a patient who presented with signs and symptoms of nodular anterior scleritis. The final histology of the conjunctiva lesion revealed primary follicular lymphoma. The patient was managed conservatively with active surveillance.

VARIX OF A VORTEX VEIN AMPULLA INDUCED BY NODULAR SCLERITIS

PURPOSE

To describe a patient with a painful red-eye syndrome and a choroidal mass lesion that was diagnosed after multimodal imaging with a vortex vein ampulla varix induced by a nodular posterior scleritis.

METHODS

Retrospective case report documented with fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, b-mode ultrasound, fundus imaging, and swept-source optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

A 24-year-old man presented with a painful red eye and sudden onset blurred vision. Fundus exam disclosed macular choroidal folds and a nonpigmented mass lesion at the inferior equator. Swept-source optical coherence tomography showed enlarged choroidal vessels with fluid in the suprachoroidal space under the central macula and a hyporeflective lobulated choroidal cavity in the inferior temporal retina. Multimodal imaging with contrast dyes showed a dilated vortex vein ampulla with early hyperfluorescence and a complete washout in late acquisitions on indocyanine green. The patient recovered uneventfully after a short-course administration of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disclosing irregular scleral nodules on swept-source optical coherence tomography that remained stable over a twelve-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This report suggests that nodular posterior scleritis can induce a vortex vein ampulla varix and contributes to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this entity. We further suggest that in a diagnostic puzzling scenario the inflammatory syndrome should be treated before attempting to perform a chorioretinal biopsy.

Evaluation of the SUN Classification Criteria for Uveitides in an Academic Uveitis Practice

PURPOSE

To evaluate the new Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) classification criteria for uveitides by applying them to patients in an academic uveitis practice.

DESIGN

Evaluation of classification criteria.

METHODS

The charts of all patients attending the uveitis service at the University of Colorado Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020, were reviewed. Patients with scleritis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis were excluded. We attempted to classify each patient's uveitis using the SUN classification criteria. Classification attempts were made within the relevant anatomical or infectious categories for their pathology but did not necessarily have to match their clinical diagnosis by a uveitis specialist. We recorded whether classification was possible as well as their clinical diagnosis by a uveitis specialist.

RESULTS

All patients attending the uveitis clinic at our academic institution between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020, were reviewed. Of the 1143 patients with uveitis, 572 (50.0%) had a disease that was not listed in the SUN classification system, and so no attempt to classify these patients was possible. Of the remaining 571 patients, 522 (91.4%) were able to be classified by SUN and in 492 (94.3%) of the 522 cases, their SUN classification matched their clinical diagnosis by a uveitis specialist.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the patients at an academic uveitis practice had a disease for which no SUN classification criteria existed. In cases where classification by SUN could be attempted, the system performed well and generally agreed with their clinical diagnosis.

Surgically-induced necrotising scleritis complicated by Nocardia infection following routine cataract surgery

Necrotising scleritis is a rare, inflammatory condition with potentially devastating visual consequences. It can be associated with inflammatory and infectious causes, and has been linked to several different ocular procedures. We present a difficult case of a patient with surgically-induced necrotising scleritis following routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery, who developed a secondary Nocardia bacterial infection. He required a number of surgical interventions and prolonged antibiotic therapy, suffering recurrent scleral abscesses. A literature review accompanies our case report. Prompt recognition and adequate investigation for underlying inflammatory and infective causes are vital to maintain integrity of the globe and ensure suitable treatment of this challenging condition.

Infective Necrotizing Scleritis After XEN Gel Stent With Mitomycin-C

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report a case of infective necrotizing scleritis following XEN Gel Stent with mitomycin-C.

METHODS

Case report. This is a case report of a 68-year-old woman.

RESULTS

XEN Gel Stent glaucoma surgery enhanced with mitomycin-C 0.04% and combined with cataract surgery was performed at a regional center to manage the patient's primary open-angle glaucoma. Past medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis requiring treatment with methotrexate and adalimumab. Periocular pain and swelling developed 14 months after the initial operation, followed by a rapid deterioration of visual acuity to 20/60, intraocular pressure of 4 mm Hg, and worsening pain 5 months later. On initial presentation to Sydney Eye Hospital, 180 degrees of scleral necrosis was evident with a moderate anterior segment inflammatory reaction and a large temporal choroidal effusion due to hypotony. Empirical hourly topical ofloxacin and cephalothin 5% drops, with oral moxifloxacin, were initiated. Conjunctival swab grew Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Significant clinical improvement occurred, but the XEN Gel Stent became exposed after 9 days of treatment with worsening hypotony. Urgent surgical revision was performed to remove the XEN Gel Stent and apply a tutoplast plug with overlying amniotic membrane graft. Intraocular pressure gradually improved over 6 weeks to 15 mm Hg with reversal of hypotonous changes, and visual acuity stabilized at 20/40.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of necrotizing scleritis following XEN Gel Stent insertion. It is a reminder that infection should always be the primary differential diagnosis in patients with surgical-induced necrotizing scleritis.

Diffuse anterior and posterior scleritis with multiple iris granular deposits following pterygium excision

Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis has been reported after several types of ophthalmic surgeries; however, not many cases are reported following pterygium surgery (PS).

A 79-year-old woman underwent primary pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft transportation with mitomycin C in her left eye. 18 months postoperatively, diffuse anterior and posterior scleritis was noted; however, scleral necrosis was not apparent. Multiple granular deposits were observed on the surface of the iris. The deposits, aqueous humor, and vitreous were examined. Since there were no signs of infection or malignancy, the patient was diagnosed with scleritis with intraocular inflammation following PS.

Necrosis was accompanying at the surgical site in most cases of scleritis following PS. However, the scleral necrosis of the surgical site was not significant in our case. Posterior scleritis associated with PS has never been reported. This is the first report of anterior diffuse scleritis accompanied by posterior scleritis following PS.

Abbreviations: PS = pterygium surgery, SINS = surgically induced necrotizing scleritis, MMC = mitomycin C, ANCA = antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

A clinical case of recurrent episcleritis as the initial manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a type of small-sized blood vessel vasculitis that predominantly affects the upper airways, lungs and kidneys and associates with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Nevertheless, any organ of the body can be affected by GPA, including the eye. Occasionally, ocular involvement can be the initial manifestation, thus representing an essential clue for the physician in the early diagnosis of the disease.

We present the case of a 53-year-old woman in whom recurrent episcleritis was the first sign of a multisystem disease. All further investigations led to the final diagnosis of GPA. The remission induction therapy chosen by the rheumatologist consisted of intravenous cyclophosphamide (CP) and methylprednisolone pulse-therapy, followed by oral glucocorticoids (GC). Based on the favorable clinical and paraclinical evolution, induction therapy was replaced by remission maintenance therapy. Azathioprine (AZA) was initiated and oral GC were continued, with dose tapering. Complete remission of episcleritis was observed.

Abbreviations: GPA = granulomatosis with polyangiitis, EGPA = eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, MPA = Microscopic polyangiitis, ANCA = Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, c-ANCA = ANCA to proteinase-3, p-ANCA = ANCA to myeloperoxidase, ELISAs = antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, ENT = ear, nose, throat, CP = cyclophosphamide, NSAIDs = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, AZA = azathioprine, GC = glucocorticoids

Conjunctivitis, episcleritis and anterior uveitis as the first presenting features of granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disorder characterised by inflammation of small-sized and medium-sized blood vessels that result in damage to various organ systems, but it most commonly affects the respiratory tract and kidneys. It is one of the few entities that can present with ocular inflammation as well as renal impairment at the same time. We describe a case of a 38-year-old man with conjunctivitis, episcleritis, anterior uveitis as a first manifestation of GPA. His presentation with red eye and anterior uveitis prompted further workup, which revealed acute renal failure (creatinine 442 mmol/L), elevated inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 85 mmol/hour and C reactive protein of 72 mg/L), and a c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titre >8. An urgent renal biopsy was performed demonstrating necrotising crescentic glomerulonephritis, which led to the final diagnosis of GPA. Treatment induction with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis followed by an oral prednisone taper and intravenous rituximab infusions leading to resolution of all symptoms and normalisation of kidney function. This report highlights conditions that can present with both ocular inflammation and renal dysfunction with a focus on GPA and its ocular manifestations.