Course and outcome of ocular sarcoidosis

Ocular Signs and Testing Most Compatible with Sarcoidosis-Associated Uveitis: A Latent Class Analysis

Purpose

This study aims to explore the potential subgroups of sarcoidosis-associated uveitis (SAU) within a multicenter cohort of uveitis participants.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

A cohort of 826 uveitis patients from a uveitis registry from 19 clinical centers in 12 countries between January 2011 and April 2015.

Methods

We employed a latent class analysis (LCA) incorporating recommended tests and clinical signs from the revised International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis (IWOS) to identify potential SAU subgroups within the multicenter uveitis cohort. Additionally, we assessed the performance of the individual tests and clinical signs in classifying the potential subclasses.

Main Outcome Measures

Latent subtypes of SAU.

Results

Among 826 participants included in this analysis, the 2-class LCA model provided a best fit, with the lowest Bayesian information criteria of 7218.7 and an entropy of 0.715. One class, consisting of 548 participants, represented the non-SAU, whereas the second class, comprised of 278 participants, was most representative of SAU. Snowballs/string of pearls vitreous opacities had the best test performance for classification, followed by bilaterality and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL). The combination of 4 tests with the highest classification importance, including snowballs/string of pearls vitreous opacities, periphlebitis and/or macroaneurysm, bilaterality, and BHL, demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 95.4% in classifying the SAU subtypes. In the exploratory analysis of the 3-class LCA model, which had comparable fit indices as the 2-class model, we identified a candidate non-SAU subtype, candidate SAU subtype with pulmonary involvement, and a candidate SAU with less pulmonary involvement.

Conclusions

Latent class modeling, incorporating tests and clinical signs from the revised IWOS criteria, effectively identified a subset of participants with clinical features indicative of SAU. Though the sensitivity of individual ocular signs or tests was not perfect, using a combination of tests provided a satisfactory performance in classifying the SAU subclasses identified by the 2-class LCA model. Notably, the classes identified by the 3-class LCA model, including a non-SAU subtype, an SAU subtype with pulmonary involvement, and an SAU subtype with less pulmonary involvement, may have potential implication for clinical practice, and hence should be validated in further research.

Financial Disclosures

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Clinical Patterns of Sarcoidosis Patients with and without Uveitis: Insights from a Dutch Sarcoidosis Centre

PURPOSE

Uveitis is a common ocular manifestation in individuals with sarcoidosis, a multisystem inflammatory disorder. This study aimed to explore clinical and genetic factors associated with the presence or absence of uveitis in sarcoidosis patients.

METHODS

Total 625 Dutch sarcoidosis patients were included. Among these, 170 underwent ophthalmic examination, and 61 were diagnosed with uveitis. Demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, race, biopsy status, chest radiography findings, TNF-α inhibitor treatment, and uveitis classification were collected retrospectively from medical records. Genetic data was available for HLA haplotypes, TNF-α G-308A, and BTNL2 G16071A polymorphisms.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients presented with bilateral uveitis (80.3%). The proportion of women was higher in the uveitis group compared to the non-uveitis group (67.2% and 47.7%; p = 0.014). Pulmonary involvement (chest radiographic stage II-III) was significantly lower in patients with uveitis (36.1% versus 64.2%; p < 0.001). Patients with uveitis were more often treated with TNF-α inhibitors (67.2% versus 29.4%; p < 0.001) and the outcome was better compared with the non-uveitis group, 92% vs 68%, responders (p < 0.012). Uveitis patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors (either adalimumab or infliximab) were more likely to suffer from intermediate or posterior uveitis than anterior uveitis. Genetic analysis identified a significant association between the BTNL2 G16071A GG genotype and uveitis (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights distinctive demographic, clinical and genetic features associated with uveitis in sarcoidosis patients. Ocular sarcoidosis was more prevalent in women. Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these findings for treatment strategies and prognostic assessments.

Ethnicity and association with ocular, systemic manifestations and prognosis in 194 patients with sarcoid uveitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the ophthalmological and extra-ophthalmological clinical characteristics and visual prognosis of patients with sarcoid uveitis in different ethnic groups.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the data from patients with sarcoid uveitis seen at two departments of Ophthalmology between December 2003 and December 2017. Patients presented biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and/or presumed sarcoid uveitis based on the following criteria: compatible thoracic imaging, associated with elevated angiotensin-conversion enzyme (ACE) and/or lymphocytic alveolitis on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis (> 15% lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 > 3.5). Ophthalmological and general characteristics, as well as visual and global prognoses, were compared in three pre-defined ethnic groups: White Europeans, North Africans and Afro-Caribbeans.

RESULTS

A total of 194 patients were included: 145 with biopsy-proven and 49 with presumed sarcoid uveitis. Overall, 68% were White Europeans while 20.6% were North Africans and 11.3% were Afro-Caribbeans. Sixty-nine per cent were women and the median age at presentation was 52.1 years. Median ages at first ocular manifestation of the disease in Afro-Caribbeans and North Africans were respectively 34.3 and 43.1 years, while it was 57.8 years in White Europeans (p < 0.001). Ocular involvement was bilateral in 77.8% (n = 151) of the cases and nearly half of the patients had panuveitis (48.5%). Anterior uveitis was more frequent in Afro-Caribbeans (59.1%; p < 0.0001), while White Europeans presented more frequently with intermediate uveitis. There was a significantly higher frequency of systemic involvement of sarcoidosis in North Africans while White Europeans showed a higher frequency of isolated ocular involvement at onset and during follow-up. Afro-Caribbeans, who had a complete visual recovery in 72.7% of the cases, had a better visual prognosis than other ethnic groups (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

In this large European series of sarcoid uveitis, we observed ethnicity-related differences regarding uveitis clinical presentation and visual outcome. Although good overall, the visual prognosis seems to be better in Afro-Caribbeans than in other ethnic groups.

Sarcoidosis-related Uveitis: Clinical Presentation, Disease Course, and Rates of Systemic Disease Progression After Uveitis Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

To document the clinical presentation, treatment, and visual outcome of sarcoid uveitis and to determine the timing and potential risk factors of sarcoidosis progression to symptomatic systemic disease from the time of sarcoid uveitis diagnosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

Subjects: Patients with dual diagnoses of uveitis and presumed/biopsy-proven sarcoidosis.

PROCEDURE

Retrospective review of 143 patient records from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Eye Surgery Associates in Melbourne, Australia, between October 1990 and April 2014 coded with the dual diagnoses of uveitis and sarcoidosis. Only patients with uveitis and presumed or biopsy-proven sarcoidosis (N = 113) were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Ascertainment of rate and time (months) to the development of symptomatic systemic sarcoidosis from uveitis onset; comparison of the patient demographics, characteristics of uveitis, treatment, and visual outcome between those who developed systemic sarcoidosis and those who remained systemically asymptomatic.

RESULTS

Uveitis was the initial presenting complaint of sarcoidosis in 78.8% (n = 89). Twenty-three patients had concurrent undiagnosed systemic disease at presentation and 29 subsequently developed symptomatic sarcoidosis in an organ uninvolved at uveitis onset. The median time to the development of symptomatic systemic sarcoidosis was 12 months. No statistically significant association was ascertained between any particular uveitis characteristic and extraocular sarcoidosis progression.

CONCLUSION

Uveitis was the initial presentation of sarcoidosis in the vast majority of our subjects. Concurrent undiagnosed systemic sarcoidosis was common at the time of uveitis onset. A high index of suspicion for subsequent systemic progression should also be maintained, especially within the first 5 years of the uveitis diagnosis.

A Comparative Study of Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Proved and Suggested Sarcoid Uveitis Occurring after Ophthalmic Procedure

Purpose

To describe patients with new onset sarcoid uveitis occurring after an ophthalmic procedure and compare them with patients with sarcoid uveitis without ocular procedure.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of case records from patients with postophthalmic procedure sarcoid uveitis seen at our institution between April 2004 and October 2016. Patients with a previous history of uveitis were not included. Each patient was randomly matched with four controls from our incident cohort of new onset sarcoid uveitis without ophthalmic procedure.

Results

We identified 11 patients (8.5%) from our incident cohort of sarcoid uveitis (n=130), who were all women, with a postophthalmic procedure uveitis (mostly after cataract surgery (36%)). These patients were older (69.7 vs 52.7 years) and presented more synechiae than controls. After a mean follow-up of 30 (3–60) months, there was no significant difference between the postprocedure and the control group with regard to demography, clinical presentation, disease course, treatment, and outcome.

Conclusions

Sarcoid uveitis has similar characteristics in patients with new onset sarcoid uveitis after or without ophthalmic procedure. As a consequence, ophthalmic intervention should be seen as a potential trigger of latent sarcoidosis.

Ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of sarcoidosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory disease that commonly affects the eye and less often the neuro-ophthalmic pathways. The manifestations can be quite variable but can have characteristic signs and clinical features. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the various ocular and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of sarcoidosis, emerging diagnostic measures and approach to treatment. Particular focus is given to recent advances in diagnostic approach and available treatment options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Laboratory investigations, chest and nuclear medicine imaging remain important techniques for helping to diagnose sarcoidosis. Recent evidence suggests a role for aqueous humor analysis in the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis. Characteristic neuroimaging may help differentiate neurosarcoidosis from other causes. The role of blind conjunctival biopsy for suspected neurosarcoidosis is discussed. The emerging role and use of biologics is delineated for the treatment of both ocular and neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis.

SUMMARY

Sarcoidosis can affect any part of the visual system: the most common ocular manifestation is uveitis and the most common neuro-ophthalmic manifestation is optic neuropathy. Although diagnosis remains challenging, recent advancements in diagnosis are promising. Emerging biologics with particular efficacy for ocular and neuro-ophthalmic disease provide expanding treatment options for sight-threatening disease.

Distinguishing Features of Ocular Sarcoidosis in an International Cohort of Uveitis Patients

PURPOSE

To determine which clinical features distinguish ocular sarcoidosis from other forms of uveitis in an international population and to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis (IWOS) clinical signs and laboratory tests.

DESIGN

Multicenter, retrospective medical record review.

PARTICIPANTS

Eight hundred eighty-four patients with uveitis from 19 centers in 12 countries.

METHODS

Data collected included suspected cause of uveitis, clinical findings, and laboratory investigations within 6 months of presentation. The IWOS criteria were used to classify patients as having definite (biopsy-proven), presumed (evidence of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy [BHL] on chest radiograph or CT scan), probable, or possible ocular sarcoidosis. Patients with biopsy positive results or BHL on chest radiograph or CT scan were considered sarcoidosis cases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivity and specificity of clinical signs and laboratory investigations for diagnosing ocular sarcoidosis.

RESULTS

Of the 884 uveitis patients, 264 (30%) were suspected to have ocular sarcoidosis. One hundred eighty patients (20%) met the IWOS criteria; 98 were definite (biopsy-proven) disease, 69 presumed disease (BHL), 10 probable disease, and 3 possible disease. Among sarcoidosis cases, the most common clinical signs were bilaterality (86%); snowballs or string of pearls (50%); mutton-fat keratic precipitates, iris nodules, or both (46%); and multiple chorioretinal peripheral lesions (45%). Sixty-two percent of sarcoidosis cases had elevated angiotensin converting enzyme or lysozyme and 5% demonstrated abnormal liver enzyme test results. Of the patients suspected of having sarcoidosis, 97 (37%) did not meet the IWOS criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of BHL, IWOS clinical findings and investigational tests had low sensitivities for diagnosing ocular sarcoidosis. In particular, liver function tests seem to have little usefulness in diagnosing ocular sarcoidosis. Many patients suspected of having sarcoidosis did not fit into the classification system, indicating that the guidelines may need to be reconsidered. Adding novel laboratory tests and using more advanced statistical methods may lead to the development of a more generalizable classification system.

Long-term visual and systemic prognoses of 83 cases of biopsy-proven sarcoid uveitis

AIMS

To determine the long-term visual and systemic outcomes of uveitis patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis.

METHODS

A retrospective study of biopsy-proven sarcoid uveitis, with a 3-year minimum follow-up, seen at Lyon University Hospital, between April 2004 and January 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients were included, with a median age at onset of 52 (37-62) years and an unbalanced gender ratio (women 77.1%). Thirty-one patients had original systemic sarcoidosis in addition to ocular localisation, whereas 52 initially presented with isolated sarcoid uveitis. Among the latter, 7.7% (n=4) developed an extraocular disease after a median follow-up duration of 60 (44-110) months. The systemic spread in these patients included cutaneous sarcoids (n=2), arthritis (n=1) and multiple mononeuritis (n=1). Complete visual recovery was obtained for 60.2% of all patients and 89.2% had retrieved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) >20/50 in both eyes. A unilateral loss of BCVA of worse than 20/200 was documented in two patients in the isolated sarcoid uveitis group. No patient suffered from bilateral severe visual impairment or blindness. Factors linked to a poor visual prognosis, defined by BCVA ≤20/50 in at least one eye, were chronic macular oedema (p=0.009) and persistent ocular inflammation (p=0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large European series of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis to date, with a prolonged follow-up, sarcoid uveitis was suggestive of a favourable systemic and visual outcome. Clinically isolated uveitis that revealed sarcoidosis remained a strictly ocular condition in most cases.

Optic neuropathy associated with systemic sarcoidosis

Objective:

To identify and follow a series of 52 patients with optic neuropathy related to sarcoidosis.

Methods:

Prospective observational cohort study.

Results:

The disorder was more common in women and affected a wide age range. It was proportionately more common in African and Caribbean ethnic groups. Two clinical subtypes were identified: the more common was a subacute optic neuropathy resembling optic neuritis; a more slowly progressive optic neuropathy arose in the remaining 17%. Sixteen (31%) were bilateral. Concurrent intraocular inflammation was seen in 36%. Pain arose in only 27% of cases. An optic perineuritis was seen in 2 cases, and predominate involvement of the chiasm in one. MRI findings showed optic nerve involvement in 75% of cases, with adjacent and more widespread inflammation in 31%. Treatment with corticosteroids was helpful in those with an inflammatory optic neuropathy, but not those with mass lesions. Relapse of visual signs arose in 25% of cases, necessitating an increase or escalation of treatment, but relapse was not a poor prognostic factor.

Conclusions:

This is a large prospective study of the clinical characteristics and outcome of treatment in optic neuropathy associated with sarcoidosis. Patients who experience an inflammatory optic neuropathy respond to treatment but may relapse. Those with infiltrative or progressive optic neuropathies improve less well even though the inflammatory disorder responds to therapy.

Ocular Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is one of the leading causes of inflammatory eye disease. Ocular sarcoidosis can involve any part of the eye and its adnexal tissues and may cause uveitis, episcleritis/scleritis, eyelid abnormalities, conjunctival granuloma, optic neuropathy, lacrimal gland enlargement, and orbital inflammation. Glaucoma and cataract can be complications from inflammation itself or adverse effects from therapy. Ophthalmic manifestations can be isolated or associated with other organ involvement. Patients with ocular sarcoidosis can present with a wide range of clinical presentations and severity. Multidisciplinary approaches are required to achieve the best treatment outcomes for both ocular and systemic manifestations.

Ocular Inflammation in the Setting of Concomitant Systemic Autoimmune Conditions in an Older Male Population

PURPOSE

This retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the frequency and types of inflammatory ocular manifestations of specific systemic autoimmune diseases in a South Florida Veterans Affairs Hospital population.

METHODS

Demographic and medical diagnosis information was extracted from the Veterans Administration database for 1225 patients. These patients were seen in Miami and Broward Veterans Affairs hospitals between April 18, 2008, and April 17, 2013, and were diagnosed with at least 1 of the following: systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoid, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, Kawasaki disease, polyarteritis nodosa, Buerger disease, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, Behcet syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, other polyarteritis nodosa-associated vasculitides, or arteritis not otherwise specified.

RESULTS

Of 1225 patients, 618 were seen in the VA eye clinic and 25 were diagnosed with concomitant inflammatory ocular conditions. Uveitis was the most common, and included 8 cases of anterior, 1 anterior-intermediate, 1 intermediate, 2 panuveitis, and 3 unspecified. Other manifestations included 7 cases of keratitis and 2 each of scleritis, episcleritis, and acute ischemic optic neuropathy. The overall frequency of inflammatory ocular disease was 2%. The diseases associated with the highest frequency of ocular involvement were granulomatosis with polyangiitis (1/8), sarcoid (9/198), giant cell arteritis (2/68), and rheumatoid arthritis (11/576). Of these 25 patients, 9 were diagnosed with eye disease before systemic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population, ocular manifestations were rarely the presenting feature of systemic disease, but autoimmune disorders are an important underlying cause of inflammatory eye disease that should be considered on first evaluation, even in this "nontraditional," predominantly male, autoimmune disease population.

Parallel Gene Expression Changes in Sarcoidosis Involving the Lacrimal Gland, Orbital Tissue, or Blood

IMPORTANCE

Sarcoidosis is a major cause of ocular or periocular inflammation. The pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is incompletely understood and diagnosis often requires a biopsy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how gene expression in either orbital adipose tissue or the lacrimal gland affected by sarcoidosis compares with gene expression in other causes of orbital disease and how gene expression in tissue affected by sarcoidosis compares with gene expression in peripheral blood samples obtained from patients with sarcoidosis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In a multicenter, international, observational study, gene expression profiling of formalin-fixed biopsy specimens, using GeneChipp U133 Plus 2 microarrays (Affymetrix), was conducted between October 2012 and January 2014 on tissues biopsied from January 2000 through June 2013. Participants included 12 patients with orbital sarcoidosis (7 in adipose tissue; 5 affecting the lacrimal gland) as well as comparable tissue from 6 healthy individuals serving as controls or patients with thyroid eye disease, nonspecific orbital inflammation, or granulomatosis with polyangiitis. In addition, results were compared with gene expression in peripheral blood samples obtained from 12 historical individuals with sarcoidosis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Significantly differentially expressed transcripts defined as a minimum of a 1.5-fold increase or a comparable decrease and a false discovery rate of P < .05.

RESULTS

Signals from 2449 probe sets (transcripts from approximately 1522 genes) were significantly increased in the orbital adipose tissue from patients with sarcoidosis. Signals from 4050 probe sets (approximately 2619 genes) were significantly decreased. Signals from 3069 probe sets (approximately 2001 genes) were significantly higher and 3320 (approximately 2283 genes) were significantly lower in the lacrimal gland for patients with sarcoidosis. Ninety-two probe sets (approximately 69 genes) had significantly elevated signals and 67 probe sets (approximately 56 genes) had significantly lower signals in both orbital tissues and in peripheral blood from patients with sarcoidosis. The transcription factors, interferon-response factor 1, interferon-response factor 2, and nuclear factor κB, were strongly implicated in the expression of messenger RNA upregulated in common in the 3 tissues.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Gene expression in sarcoidosis involving the orbit or lacrimal gland can be distinguished from gene expression patterns in control tissue and overlaps with many transcripts upregulated or downregulated in the peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis. These observations suggest that common pathogenic mechanisms contribute to sarcoidosis in different sites. The observations support the hypothesis that a pattern of gene expression profiles could provide diagnostic information in patients with sarcoidosis.

Uveitis profile and treatment response in Iranian patients with sarcoidosis

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical features and treatment responses in Iranian patients with sarcoid uveitis. A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with sarcoid uveitis from 1996 to 2010 was performed in a referral clinic in Tehran, Iran. Demographic and clinical features of patients, treatment modalities and therapeutic responses, and outcomes were recorded. Sixty-six eyes from 36 patients were studied. Twenty cases had biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Mean duration of follow-up was 44.7 ± 45 months (range 3-175). Thirty-six eyes (54.5 %) had intermediate uveitis, 25 (37.9 %) panuveitis, and 5 (7.6 %) anterior uveitis. Twenty patients (55.5 %) responded to both systemic and/or topical corticosteroids, and 16 (44.4 %) required immunomodulatory drugs for control of uveitis. All of the patients finally responded to treatment in the form of inflammation reduction and/or vision improvement. The average time interval before initial clinical response following treatment was 3.2 ± 3 months (range 1-72). This study disclosed a higher predominance of females and intermediate form of uveitis in Iranian patients with sarcoid uveitis. Use of immunomodulatory drugs combined with corticosteroids resulted in good visual outcome and control of uveitis with a possible fewer corticosteroid side effects.

Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction in patients with sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) surgery in patients with sarcoidosis.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all patients with sarcoidosis undergoing EN-DCR in 6 practices from 1999-2011.

RESULTS

We included 18 procedures in 14 patients (8 female, 6 male) who underwent EN-DCR for acquired NLDO secondary to sarcoidosis. The mean age was 53.7 (range 38-82). The presenting symptom in all cases was epiphora. Eight patients (57%) complained of having additional nasal congestion. Surgery was performed using endoscopic powered-type DCR with flaps in 12/18 (67%) and non-endoscopic mechanical EN-DCR in 6/18 (33%). In 15 (83%) cases the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa appeared abnormally yellowish, crusty, oedematous and friable. Five patients were treated with pre-operative oral steroid and overall 8 patients had oral prednisolone post operatively, 30-60 mg tapered within 10 days-8 weeks. One patient had difficulties in tapering down the oral steroids at 6 months of follow-up. All patients were free of epiphora and patent to syringing, with nasal endoscopy revealing free flow of fluorescein through the ostium at a mean follow-up of 11.3 months (median follow-up 9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

All 18 cases of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to sarcoidosis were treated successfully with EN-DCR. An abnormal appearance of the nasal mucosa is an important sign. Nasal congestion is a frequent sign. A successful outcome may not depend on intensive long-term therapy with local or systemic steroids. Mechanical or powered EN-DCR for nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to sarcoidosis achieves encouraging medium-term outcomes.

[Bilateral recurrent blurred vision associated with halos around sources of light and headache]

A 21-year-old male presented with headache and blurred vision associated with halos around sources of light. The visual acuity was slightly reduced and the intraocular pressure in the left eye was elevated to 44 mmHg and in the right eye to 49 mmHg. Slit lamp examination of the anterior segment revealed bilateral cells and a Tyndall phenomenon 2 +, several cell clumps adherent to the corneal endothelium, known as mutton-fat keratic precipitates and a circumscribed inflammatory infiltration of the right iris. The posterior segment of both eyes was normal. The cause of the presumed clinical diagnosis secondary open angle glaucoma due to anterior granulomatous uveitis was sarcoidosis, confirmed by elevated serological markers of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and by pulmonary hilar lymphadenopathy. The local and systemic corticosteroid therapy was successful and also normalized the intraocular pressure.

Visual Outcome in Ocular Sarcoidosis: Retrospective Evaluation of Risk Factors

Purpose.

To analyze risk factors associated with poor visual outcome in patients with ocular sarcoidosis.

Methods.

In this retrospective study, charts of 44 patients with uveitis and biopsy-proven sarcoidosis were reviewed. Ocular parameters evaluated were as follows: location, type of uveitis, visual acuity, presence of posterior synechia, iris nodules, vitritis, snowballs, chorioretinal lesions, retinal vasculitis, papillitis, macular edema, cataract, and glaucoma. Final visual acuity of the worst-seeing eye at last follow-up was the outcome considered in univariable and multivariable analyses. Visual acuity of the worst-seeing eye was stratified into 2 categories according to the threshold 20/50 (≤20/50 and >20/50).

Results.

A total of 44 patients with bilateral uveitis were studied. The majority of patients presented with panuveitis (52%), granulomatous type (61%), posterior synechia (62%). The most frequent vision-threatening complications were cystoid macular edema (56%) and cataract (56%). The median best-corrected visual acuity in the worst-seeing eye at presentation and at end of follow-up was respectively 0.4 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.26–0.80) and 0.63 (IQR 0.36–1.00). At univariable analysis, the presence of iris nodules (p=0.049), cystoid macular edema (p=0.007), and cataract (p=0.007) were clinically significant conditions for a visual outcome of 20/50 or worse in the worst-seeing eye. In multivariable analysis, cystoid macular edema (p=0.034) was the only statistically significant predictor associated with unfavorable visual outcome.

Conclusions.

In this study, we attempted to find risk factors related to poor visual outcome in patients with ocular sarcoidosis. The results suggest that only the presence of cystoid macular edema was significantly associated with worst visual outcome.

Ocular involvement in sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate ocular involvement in patients with sarcoidosis.

METHODS

The prevalence of ocular manifestations was studied in 139 Turkish patients with sarcoidosis as a cross section. Color photography and fluorescein angiography were performed on patients suspected of having ocular involvement.

RESULTS

Ocular involvement was seen in 12.9% patients. Of 18 patients with ocular sarcoidosis, 39% had anterior and posterior involvement, 28% only anterior, 11% only posterior, 16.7% conjuctival, and 5.6% eyelid involvement. There was no statistically significant relationship between radiological grading and ocular involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common ocular involvement in this study was both anterior and posterior segment involvement.

Referral Patterns, Demographic and Clinical Features, and Visual Prognosis of Turkish Patients with Sarcoid Uveitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the referral patterns, demographic and clinical features, and visual prognosis of patients with sarcoid uveitis seen at 2 tertiary eye care centers in Turkey. A retrospective study was made of 44 patients with uveitis associated with biopsy-confirmed or presumed sarcoidosis. Thirty-four patients (77%) were female and 10 (23%) were male. The mean age at onset of uveitis was 39.8 years. Twenty-seven patients (61%) were referred without a diagnosis of sarcoidosis and 17 (39%) patients were referred with a diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. The duration of uveitis prior to referral was 2-15 years in 52% of the patients in the former group. At presentation, 37 patients (84%) had bilateral and 7 patients (16%) had unilateral uveitis, and 17 patients (39%) had only anterior uveitis. The most common ocular findings were granulomatous keratic precipitates, persistent posterior synechiae, and snowball vitreous opacities. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis estimated the risk of recurrence as 30% at 6 months and 61% at 5 years. New complications developed in 18 patients. Potential visual acuity was better than 0.4 in 80% of eyes. The estimated risk of losing potential visual acuity by at least 2 lines was 7% at 6 months and 43% at 5 years. None of the eyes lost useful vision (> 0.1) under the authors' care. The referral patterns suggest underrecognition of sarcoidosis as a cause of uveitis in Turkey. The demographic and clinical features of these patients were mostly similar to those reported from other countries, suggesting that the diagnosis may not be difficult in Turkish patients but requires an increased awareness of the disease in this population.

Guidelines for the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To delineate features of ocular sarcoidosis.

METHODS

Comparison of the old and new Japanese guidelines for diagnosing ocular sarcoidosis by review of the medical records of 100 sarcoidosis patients and 147 patients with non-sarcoidosis uveitis.

RESULTS

The overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the old guidelines were 80.0% and 45.6%; sensitivity and specificity for the new guidelines were 84.0% and 83.0%. Positive and negative predictive values and the likelihood ratios for a positive and negative test result improved. The new guidelines achieved more than 80% specificity for all categories.

CONCLUSION

The new guidelines allow easier distinction of ocular sarcoidosis.

Biopsie conjonctivale : une aide précieuse pour le diagnostic de sarcoïdose

PURPOSE

To highlight the advantages of conjunctival biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

CASE REPORT

A 78-year-old woman presented with unilateral vitreitis. The examination of the conjunctive of right and left eyes revealed multiple, translucent, pale yellow nodules the size of millet grains located in the lower fornix. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was suspected by an increased level of angiotensin-converting enzyme and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathies. A biopsy from conjunctival nodules showed noncaseating epithelioid and gigantocellular granulomas, confirming the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

CONCLUSION

Although underused, conjunctival biopsy seems to be both a safe and effective tool in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Presumed ocular sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Ocular manifestations commonly occur in patients with sarcoidosis, with a granulomatous anterior uveitis as the most-prevalent ocular sign. Acute symptoms of uveitis, such as pain, photophobia, lacrimation, or redness, may be absent. Without early detection and timely treatment, this "silent uveitis" may cause permanent ocular damage.

CASE REPORTS

Two patients came in for routine eye examinations, with no symptoms of anterior uveitis. The first, a 36-year-old man, had a bilateral granulomatous anterior uveitis. The uveitis was treated with topical corticosteroids, with no complications. The second case involved a 44-year-old woman with chronic, recurrent, bilateral, non-granulomatous anterior uveitis. Despite treatment with topical and oral corticosteroids. the patient had a prolonged course with recurrent episodes leading to secondary sequelae, including glaucoma and cataract. Both patients were co-managed with internal medicine, and in each case, systemic workups were consistent with sarcoidosis.

CONCLUSION

Anterior uveitis often manifests as the initial presentation of sarcoidosis. Without acute symptoms, the detection and diagnosis may be delayed, leading to visual deterioration. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis may be difficult, owing to the lack of definitive diagnostic criteria and a variety of presentations. Histologic confirmation may not always be possible or practical. However, a range of serological and radiological tests, when combined with physical and ophthalmic evaluation, can lead to the presumed diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Aggressive treatment is imperative in order to prevent permanent structural damage to the eye resulting from this idiopathic inflammation.

Uveítis como manifestación inicial de sarcoidosis: estudio de 31 pacientes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical findings, as well as the diagnostic approach in a group of patients in whom uveitis was the first manifestation of sarcoidosis.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Retrospective study (between March 1998 and July 2002) including 31 patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis after an episode of uveitis. The group consisted of 19 females (61%) and 12 males (39%). Mean follow-up was 34.5 months. Age, sex, ocular and systemic clinical findings were recorded. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels were measured and radiological studies of the thorax were conducted including simple radiography (Rx), computerized axial tomography (CT) and gallium scan (67Ga). Biopsy was carried out in 14 patients.

RESULTS

Mean age was 59.6 years. Six different clinical presentations of uveitic sarcoidosis were observed, the most common being bilateral panuveitis in 13 patients (42%) and chronic anterior bilateral uveitis in 11 (35%). Gallium scan, thoracic CT and chest radiography were positive in 88%, 77% and 33% cases, respectively. ACE levels were raised in 7 of the 27 patients analyzed (26%). Histological confirmation of disease was obtained in all 14 patients biopsied with a specificity and sensitivity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Uveitis may be the presenting manifestation of sarcoidosis, especially in women over 60 years of age. Bilateral panuveitis and chronic bilateral anterior uveitis are the most common clinical presentations. The sensitivity of gallium scan and thoracic CT is greater than simple chest radiography in diagnosing pulmonary and mediastinal lesions of sarcoidosis. The need for biopsy should be individualized in each case depending on complementary exams, age and potential morbidity of the procedure.

Visual loss in sarcoid-related uveitis

PURPOSE

To assess the visual acuity outcome after treatment, in patients with differing types of uveitis associated with sarcoidosis, and to determine the types of sight-threatening complications.

METHODS

This was an retrospective, non-comparative, interventional study of patients who had uveitis with a confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis and a minimum follow-up duration of 6 months from presentation. The worst affected eye at presentation was selected for the study. Complications causing impaired vision were documented, changes in visual acuity after completion of treatment were measured, and the risk of 'poor outcome' (visual acuity 6/12 and less) was compared in the various types of uveitis, using 'exact' multiple logistic regression to control confounding by other prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients were studied. The spectrum of ocular inflammation in sarcoidosis is wide. Presentation may be acute and non-granulomatous or chronic and granulomatous with posterior segment involvement being varied. Poor visual outcome was significantly more frequent in multifocal choroiditis (5/7, 71.4%), and in panuveitis without multifocal choroiditis (13/28, 46.4%), compared to only 3/24 (12.5%) patients with anterior uveitis. The excess risks remained significant after adjustment for confounding effects of other prognostic factors including age, sex and manifest systemic sarcoidosis. Causes of visual loss were cataract, glaucoma, macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment.

CONCLUSION

Multifocal choroiditis is a less common manifestation of uveitis associated with sarcoidosis but appears to be associated with a worse visual prognosis despite immunosuppressive therapy.

The eye in lung disease

This article reviews disorders in which both pulmonary and ocular disease can occur. These may occur at the same time or the disease process can start in one and involve the other later. Different treatments may be needed as the severity of lung and eye involvement may vary. The lung may be affected by treatment for an unrelated eye problem and treatment for lung disease may affect the eye.

Isolated sarcoidosis of the lacrimal sac without systemic manifestations

Sarcoidosis is a systemic chronic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Although it most commonly affects African-Americans, Scandinavians, and the Irish, individuals of all races and ethnicities are susceptible. The otolaryngologist will most frequently encounter sarcoidosis involving the sinonasal region; however, other sites in the head and neck may be involved. Head and neck affliction with sarcoidosis most frequently accompanies pulmonary involvement, although, in rare cases, it may present in the absence of any systemic manifestations. We present a patient of Eastern European origin treated for persistent epiphora and recurrent dacryocystitis without any other medical problems. Because medical therapy and canalicular intubation failed, an endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was performed. Histologic examination of the lacrimal sac showed noncaseating granulomas. Further workup revealed an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level and hilar adenopathy. At no time did the patient have any other signs or symptoms of sarcoidosis. This unique case highlights 4 important issues for the otolaryngologist: (1) sarcoidosis may occur almost anywhere in the head and neck and is not strictly limited to the upper respiratory tract; (2) sarcoidosis may occur in the head and neck even in the absence of any pulmonary or other systemic involvement; (3) sarcoidosis may affect persons of all races, both sexes, and all ages; and (4) routine histopathologic examination after excision of the nasolacrimal sac is recommended.

Multiple arterial ectasias in patients with sarcoidosis and uveitis

PURPOSE

To describe and evaluate the cause of a clinical entity characterized by bilateral intraocular inflammation, multiple arterial ectasias including beading, macroaneurysms, comma-like ectasias and kinking, with vasculitis, staining of the optic disk and multiple peripheral round punched-out hypopigmented chorioretinal scars in elderly patients. The formation and the course of the arterial ectasias is analyzed.

METHODS

Seven patients with this syndrome were evaluated by clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, and systemic investigations.

RESULTS

Three of the seven patients had a biopsy characteristic of sarcoidosis, two others showed positive bronchoalveolar lavage, as well as other analyses and tests suggesting sarcoidosis, and two showed other findings suggestive of sarcoidosis. The patients were all over 60 years of age and had arterial hypertension. In two patients, an arterial ectasia developed at the site of previous focal inflammation. The macroaneurysms either remained unchanged, became comma-like ectasias, arterial kinks, or completely vanished.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients with multiple arterial ectasias, uveitis, disk staining, and peripheral chorioretinitis should be thoroughly investigated for sarcoidosis. We suggest that sarcoidosis may cause some degree of arteritis, which may weaken the arterial wall, with resulting ectasia. Arterial hypertension may play a role in the formation of the ectasias by increasing the pressure on the arterial wall weakened by inflammation.

The ocular and systemic prognosis of patients presenting with sarcoid uveitis

PURPOSE

To describe the visual and systemic outcomes in patients presenting with sarcoid uveitis.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with definite or presumed sarcoid uveitis were followed up for a median of 4 years. The patients came from a primary ophthalmic referral centre and a specialist uveitis centre. The prognostic value of demographic and clinical features at the onset of disease were studied. Baseline and outcome variables were analysed by survival analysis.

RESULTS

After 10 years, 54% of patients retained normal visual acuity and 4.6% had lost vision to less than 6/36 in both eyes. Fifty-one per cent required oral steroids for uveitis and a further 11% needed additional immunosuppressants. Twenty-one per cent of patients had undergone a surgical procedure. At the onset of uveitis the lung was the most common organ involved (35%). After 10 years follow-up disease spread to other organs in 13 patients (17%); in 8 of 13 patients this was the central nervous system. The only outcome associated with baseline variables was bilateral visual loss, which was more likely in those over 40 years at presentation (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The ocular prognosis of sarcoid uveitis is unrelated to the extent of disease at onset. Patients with extraocular disease fared no differently from those with isolated ocular disease. Patients with sarcoid uveitis are at risk of neurological involvement for at least 15 years.

Retinal cotton-wool spots as the first sign of systemic sarcoidosis

Isolated retinal cotton-spots have not yet been reported as the sign of ocular sarcoidosis. We describe three patients with retinal cotton-wool spots of initially unknown etiology in whom systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed 6-16 months later. The diagnosis was confirmed by conjunctival biopsy. These observations indicate that sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal cotton-wool spots and patients with these lesions should be followed for the development of this disease.

Pseudotumor of the orbit. Clinical, pathologic, and radiologic evaluation

Pseudotumor, Graves' disease, and lymphoproliferative disease are the most common ophthalmologic disease entities requiring evaluation by CT and MR imaging. A history of acute onset, pain, swelling, proptosis, and response to steroids are the classical findings. The radiologic findings are categorized according to location into dacryoadenitis, myositis, and sclerouveitis, with and without associated infiltrations. The inflammatory infiltrate, which is composed of polymorphic leukocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma cells interspersed with a variable amount of fibrovascular tissue, may be diffuse or localized. The preferred radiologic method used for assessment of pseudotumor is CT. MR imaging, however, is indicated for evaluation of the Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, which is characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate in the orbital apex and cavernous sinus leading to cranial nerve involvement with ophthalmoplegia. The clinical and radiologic constellation of findings allows a definitive diagnosis in most cases.

Methotrexate treatment for sarcoid-associated panuveitis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the safety and efficacy of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) for sarcoid-associated panuveitis.

DESIGN

Retrospective noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty eyes from 11 patients were analyzed. Eight patients had sarcoidosis. Three patients were clinically suspected of sarcoidosis despite negative laboratory testing. All charts of patients with sarcoidosis and idiopathic uveitis seen by the Duke Uveitis Service from 1989 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Those with sarcoid-associated or sarcoid-suspected panuveitis treated with MTX with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were studied.

INTERVENTION

Low-dose MTX was administered to patients weekly and patients were followed with serial ophthalmologic and medical examinations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual acuity, oral and topical corticosteroid requirements, anterior chamber inflammation, and ability to undergo successful cataract extraction were used to measure the efficacy of MTX therapy.

RESULTS

After MTX treatment was initiated, 90% of eyes had preserved or improved visual acuity. Mean initial Snellen visual acuity was 20/62 and mean final acuity was 20/40 (P = 0.044). Of those patients initially requiring oral corticosteroids, the dosage was decreased in 100%, and they were completely discontinued in 86%. The mean initial oral corticosteroid dose was 26.6 mg and the mean final dose was 1.5 mg (P = 0.012). Topical corticosteroids were decreased in 63% of eyes. The mean initial use was once every 1.6 hours, and the mean final use was once every 3.9 hours (P = 0.001). Ninety-five percent of eyes had stabilized or decreased inflammation. The mean initial inflammation score was 1.2, and the mean final score was 0.5 (P = 0.007). Five of six eyes previously unable to have cataract extraction because of uncontrolled inflammation became quiet on MTX and underwent surgery. One hundred percent of these eyes had improved vision after surgery. Side effects were mild and transient or reversible.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose MTX is an effective and safe adjunct to treat chronic sarcoid-associated panuveitis.

Ocular sarcoidosis in Kuwait with a review of literature

OBJECTIVE

To study 18 cases of sarcoidosis, the hall mark of which was uveitis.

SETTING

Referrals from peripheral eye clinics.

PATIENTS

18 patients with bilateral almost symmetric uveitis, negative Mantoux test and positive gallium scan were enrolled in the study. Preliminary bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage were not done due to social habits.

RESULTS

Age ranged between 7-48 years with median 15 and mean 19 years. Although the patients were multinational, yet all of them were residents of Kuwait. A father and son were affected within 8 months period. 78% were strictly ocular, associated pulmonary and salivary gland affection 11% each. Sole anterior uveitis was found in 28%, associated with intermediate uveitis in 55% and with posterior in 16.6% of cases. Clinically detectable dry eyes associated 33% of cases. All our patients developed glaucoma which resolved with treatment of uveitis in 88% of them. Gallium uptake of the eye balls was found in 22%, of the lacrimal glands (panda sign) in 67%, and of the salivary glands or chest 11% each. Positive biopsy was found in 72%, 22% of which was conjunctival. Chest X-ray and SACE were positive in 11%. 61% had hypergammaglobulinaemia and all had negative ANA and RF.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) 61% of ocular sarcoidosis presented below sarcoid age. (2) Multinationality together with father's and son's affection indicate a climatic or environmental insult in an already predisposed person. (3) Routine chest X-ray and SACE may not be adequate for diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis. Gallium should be done in suspected cases. (4) Follow-up for prospects is emphasized.

Clinical diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To assess the value of raised serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels in making a clinical diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis in patients with intraocular inflammation, compatible with sarcoidosis, in whom tissue biopsy is either not practical or not possible.

METHODS

The ocular manifestations and clinical course of 22 patients with intraocular inflammation compatible with sarcoidosis and elevated ACE level (including 11 patients with abnormal chest radiograph) were compared with those of a group of 18 patients with intraocular inflammation due to biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. The mean follow-up (+/- SD) was 4.5 +/- 3.4 years in the presumed ocular sarcoidosis group and 7.8 +/- 5.3 years in the biopsy-proven sarcoidosis group.

RESULTS

There was no difference in sex, race and age distribution between the two groups. No statistically significant difference could be found between the ocular manifestations seen in each group. The most common finding was retinal vasculitis with panuveitis, seen in 86.4% of the presumed ocular sarcoidosis group and in 83.3% of the biopsy-proven sarcoidosis group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that intraocular inflammation compatible with sarcoidosis in conjunction with raised ACE levels would be accordant with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in patients in whom histological diagnosis is either not practical or not possible.

Iris fluorescein angiography in clinical practice

Iris fluorescein angiography is a valuable technique for elucidating a wide range of eye pathologies, among them developmental anomalies, degenerative disease, retinal vascular occlusions, diabetic microangiopathy, uveitis of various etiologies, glaucoma, tumor, and surgical or accidental trauma. In fact, IFA is more sensitive than biomicroscopy in the evaluation of iris abnormalities. Moreover, it provides indirect but reliable information on the retinal circulation when this cannot be examined directly. Some of the most important clinical applications involve the early detection of iris new vessels, cataract management in diabetic patients, and monitoring of iris tumors. Equipment, procedures, and fluorescein angiography patterns in normal and disease states are described and extensively illustrated. More widespread use of this valuable technique is encouraged.