Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid: A Review of Clinical Features, Immunopathology, Differential Diagnosis, and Current Management

Causes of Trichiasis and Distichiasis and Their Management with Carbon Dioxide Laser Ablation

BACKGROUND

Many techniques have been used to treat trichiasis and distichiasis, but none of them are consistently successful, without complications, or effective in different severities. In addition, etiologic factors and their relationship with the severity or prognosis have not been identified in the non-trachoma-endemic area.

METHODS

In this retrospective consecutive study, the authors enrolled patients with trichiasis or distichiasis who had undergone carbon dioxide laser ablation in their tertiary medical center between November of 2013 and May of 2022. Surgical success was defined as no regrowth of misdirected eyelashes for at least 3 months postoperatively. The authors recorded the success rate within 3 months and 1 year after 1 treatment session, and within 3 treatment sessions. The authors also investigated the relationship between etiologic factors, severity, and the success rate.

RESULTS

The authors enrolled 216 eyelids of 137 patients (average age, 69.4 years; mean follow-up duration, 22.9 months). The major underlying causes of trichiasis and distichiasis were idiopathic (64.4%) and prior eyelid surgery (20.8%). More major trichiasis and distichiasis cases were observed among patients aged younger than 60 years than in patients aged 60 years or older (43% versus 21%; P < 0.01), and among patients with an underlying cause of prior eyelid surgery compared with patients with an idiopathic cause (42.2% versus 23.0%; P < 0.01). The success rates within 3 months, within 1 year after 1 treatment session, and within 3 treatment sessions were 87.5%, 76.2%, and 94.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors demonstrate that idiopathic cause and prior eyelid surgery are common causes of trichiasis and distichiasis. Carbon dioxide laser ablation is a safe, effective, and efficient treatment modality.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

The Role of Serology in the Diagnosis of Ocular Predominant Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid and the Search for an Ocular-Specific Autoantigen

Ocular predominant mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP) is a severe subtype of MMP that can lead to scarring and blindness. While conjunctival biopsy for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, limited sensitivity results in a false-negative rate upwards of 40%. Likewise, it remains unclear to what extent a negative biopsy, whether false-negative or true-negative, results in a different prognosis, with patients previously termed "pseudopemphigoid" demonstrating comparable disease progression. Serologic testing allows for a less invasive means to demonstrate circulating autoantibodies against known autoantigens in pemphigoid diseases. Patients with MMP, particularly oMMP, however, typically demonstrate low titers of circulating autoantibodies, limiting the diagnostic utility of these tests. The autoantigen integrin β4 has been previously reported to be a specific marker of pure ocular MMP, while in the majority of patients with oMMP, the identified target antigens are BP180 (type XVII collagen) and laminin 332. Recent studies have, however, demonstrated inconsistent reactivity and specificity for integrin β4 as an ocular-specific marker in MMP. Herein, we review the role of serologic testing in the diagnosis and prognosis of oMMP, as well as the current understanding of autoantigens in oMMP.Abbreviations: BMZ - basement membrane zone, DIF - direct immunofluorescence, IIF - indirect immunofluorescence, MMP - mucous membrane pemphigoid, oMMP - ocular predominant mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: The Effect of Risk Factors at Presentation on Treatment Outcomes

PURPOSE

Analyze the influence of risk factors at presentation in the long-term immunosuppressive therapy (IMT) outcomes of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP).

DESIGN

Retrospective multicenter study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with OMMP seen at the Duke Eye Center, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and Hospital Clinic of Barcelona from 1990 to 2022.

METHODS

Data at presentation on demographics, direct immunofluorescence, ocular findings, sites of extraocular manifestations (EOMs), and previous treatments in patients with a clinical or laboratory diagnosis of OMMP, were analyzed with multivariable analysis and Kaplan-Meier plots to identify factors associated with adverse outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

(1) Inflammatory control (no conjunctival inflammation in both eyes at 3 months on IMT); (2) relapse (new-onset inflammation after absolute control in either eye); (3) progression (≥ 1 cicatrizing stage progression in either eye); and (4) vision loss (≥ 2 Snellen lines).

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients (234 eyes), 61% (71/117) of whom were women, with a mean age of 66.6 (SD: 12.4) years (range: 37-97 years) and median follow-up of 34 months (interquartile range: 16-66 months; range: 3-265 months), were enrolled. Inflammatory control was achieved in 57% of patients (67/117), with high-risk EOM (HR-EOM), including esophageal, nasopharyngeal, and/or genital involvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 12.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.61-59.99; P = 0.002) and corneal scarring (aOR: 3.06; 95% CI, 1.15-8.14; P = 0.025), as significant risk factors for persistent inflammation. Disease relapse, progression, and vision loss occurred in 20% of patients (23/117), 12% of patients (14/117), and 27% of patients (32/117), respectively. Baseline corneal scarring was a risk factor for relapse (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.14; 95% CI: 1.61-10.62; P = 0.003), progression (aOR: 11.46; 95% CI: 1.78-73.75; P = 0.010), and vision loss (aOR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.35-9.10; P = 0.010). HR-EOM was associated with stage progression (aOR, 34.57; 95% CI, 6.57-181.89; P<0.001) and vision loss (aOR, 8.42; 95% CI, 2.50-28.42; P = 0.001). No significant differences were found between IMT regimes and relapse (P = 0.169).

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid presenting with HR-EOMs and corneal scarring has an increased risk of stage progression and vision loss. Corneal scarring and severe inflammation at baseline were associated with an increased risk of relapse. A disease progression staging system incorporating both the HR-EOMs and corneal involvement is required to predict the visual outcome of OMMP better.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

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

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid in Young Patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to report ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) occurring in young patients. Relevant literature is also reviewed.

METHODS

Medical records of patients aged 30 years or younger who were treated for OCP between August 2021 and May 2023 at a tertiary care eye institute were reviewed. The most common differential diagnoses of cicatrizing conjunctivitis, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome sequelae, chemical injury, chronic topical/systemic drug use, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, or allergic eye diseases, were ruled out based on clinical history, examination, and the Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis Score described by Shanbhag et al. The diagnosis of OCP was confirmed by positive direct immunofluorescence of oral mucosal and/or conjunctival biopsy in a majority of the patients.

RESULTS

Seven patients fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of OCP. The mean age at presentation was 21.86 ± 5.25 years (13-28 years). Some of the patients presented with relatively atypical features for OCP such as corneal immune ring infiltrate and bilateral corneal perforation. Six patients exhibited systemic mucosal lesions, and the direct immunofluorescence yield was 85.71%. All patients required aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

OCP is classically described as a rare disease that occurs in old age. This case series highlights the importance of a higher index of suspicion for diagnosing OCP at a younger age. Early administration of immunosuppressive agents can potentially control severe ocular surface inflammation and its sequelae.

Direct Immunofluorescence Findings and Factors Affecting Conjunctival Biopsy Positivity in Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings and factors affecting conjunctival biopsy positivity in patients clinically diagnosed with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP).

METHODS

This retrospective observational case series included patients with clinical OMMP who underwent conjunctival biopsy for DIF in at least 1 eye between 2018 and 2021 in an institutional setting. The primary outcome measures were association of age and chronic ocular complications with biopsy positivity.

RESULTS

Of 61 patients, DIF positivity was seen in 33 (54.1%) clinically suspected cases of OMMP. Of 39 patients who underwent bilateral biopsy, 23 (59%) were positive, of which 12 (52%) were positive in both eyes while 11 (48%) were positive in 1 eye. Of 22 patients who underwent unilateral biopsy, 10 (45%) were positive. Of the 100 biopsied eyes, 45 (45%) were DIF positive. Among the immunoreactants studied, linear deposition of C3 was seen in all 45 positive eyes (100%). Increasing age was significantly associated with higher likelihood of biopsy negativity ( P = 0.032), whereas a greater Sotozono chronic ocular complication score, indicative of disease severity, was associated with low likelihood of biopsy positivity ( P = 0.0042) and lower overall expression of immunoreactants on DIF ( P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients and patients with more severe ocular surface disease sequelae are likely to have negative DIF results. To optimize the chances of confirming the diagnosis of OMMP by DIF, both eyes should be biopsied early in the disease course. If 1 eye is being biopsied, the less affected eye must be chosen.

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid With IgM-Positive Biopsy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IgM along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) and the outcomes of these patients with immunomodulatory therapy.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective chart review of patients with conjunctival biopsy-proven OCP. Clinical data, including the presence of linear IgM deposition along the BMZ on either direct immunofluorescence or avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry, were recorded. Response to IMT was also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 817 patients with documented conjunctival biopsies were identified, with 93 (11.4%) positive for OCP with linear IgM deposition along the BMZ. Forty-six patients with sufficient follow-up were evaluated for clinical outcomes, with 35 (76.1%) able to achieve durable remission an average of 24.3 months after initiation of IMT. Most of these patients, 82.9%, were able to achieve durable remission with first-line antimetabolite therapy. Three patients were identified with solely IgM-positive conjunctival biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that IgM positivity is seen in a minority of patients with OCP and that outcomes are comparable for these patients to the general OCP patient population.

C-Reactive Protein: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, False Test Results and a Novel Diagnostic Algorithm for Clinicians

The current literature provides a body of evidence on C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and its potential role in inflammation. However, most pieces of evidence are sparse and controversial. This critical state-of-the-art monography provides all the crucial data on the potential biochemical properties of the protein, along with further evidence on its potential pathobiology, both for its pentameric and monomeric forms, including information for its ligands as well as the possible function of autoantibodies against the protein. Furthermore, the current evidence on its potential utility as a biomarker of various diseases is presented, of all cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, renal, gynecological, andrological, dental, oral, otorhinolaryngological, ophthalmological, dermatological, musculoskeletal, neurological, mental, splenic, thyroid conditions, as well as infections, autoimmune-supposed conditions and neoplasms, including other possible factors that have been linked with elevated concentrations of that protein. Moreover, data on molecular diagnostics on CRP are discussed, and possible etiologies of false test results are highlighted. Additionally, this review evaluates all current pieces of evidence on CRP and systemic inflammation, and highlights future goals. Finally, a novel diagnostic algorithm to carefully assess the CRP level for a precise diagnosis of a medical condition is illustrated.

Ocular-Surface Regeneration Therapies for Eye Disorders: The State of the Art

The ocular surface is a complex structure that includes cornea, conjunctiva, limbus, and tear film, and is critical for maintaining visual function. When the ocular-surface integrity is altered by a disease, conventional therapies usually rely on topical drops or tissue replacement with more invasive procedures, such as corneal transplants. However, in the last years, regeneration therapies have emerged as a promising approach to repair the damaged ocular surface by stimulating cell proliferation and restoring the eye homeostasis and function. This article reviews the different strategies employed in ocular-surface regeneration, including cell-based therapies, growth-factor-based therapies, and tissue-engineering approaches. Dry eye and neurotrophic keratopathy diseases can be treated with nerve-growth factors to stimulate the limbal stem-cell proliferation and the corneal nerve regeneration, whereas conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane are used in subjects with corneal limbus dysfunction, such as limbal stem-cell deficiency or pterygium. Further, new therapies are available for patients with corneal endothelium diseases to promote the expansion and migration of cells without the need of corneal keratoplasty. Finally, gene therapy is a promising new frontier of regeneration medicine that can modify the gene expression and, potentially, restore the corneal transparency by reducing fibrosis and neovascularization, as well as by stimulating stem-cell proliferation and tissue regeneration.

[Diagnostics of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid]

The diagnosis of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) remains a challenge as the timing and choice of diagnostic methods have a decisive influence on its quality. A systematic approach is required that includes a comprehensive medical history, critical evaluation of the clinical findings and targeted laboratory testing. The diagnosis is complicated by the fact that some patients present purely clinically the symptoms of MMP without fulfilling the required immunohistochemical and laboratory criteria. Basically, the diagnosis of ocular MMP is based on three pillars: 1) medical history and clinical findings, 2) positive immunohistological (direct immunofluorescence) tissue sample and 3) specific serological autoantibodies. As the diagnosis of ocular MMP often implies prolonged systemic immunomodulatory treatment in predominantly older patients, the accurate diagnosis and approach are of critical relevance. The aim of this article is to present the recently updated diagnostic procedure.

Ocular Mucus Membrane Pemphigoid: A Primary Versus Secondary Entity

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review was to investigate the idea that inflammatory events of the conjunctiva and ocular surface may act as triggering events for the onset of ocular mucus membrane pemphigoid (oMMP).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients with biopsy-proven oMMP and no systemic pemphigoid disease. The presence, or absence, of the following inflammatory conditions at the time of OMMP diagnosis was noted: significant eyelid disease, significant atopic eye disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, graft-versus-host disease, viral keratitis, sarcoidosis with ocular involvement, chemical burns, medicamentosa, Sjogren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus with ocular involvement, and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Response to immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) was also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 779 patient records were identified. Conjunctival biopsy was present in 724 patients, with 646 (89.2%) being positive. One hundred thirty-nine patients (21.5%) with positive biopsies had extraocular pemphigoid disease and were excluded from further analysis. Of the 507 included patients, 154 (30.4%) had at least one of the specified inflammatory conditions present at the time of OMMP diagnosis. One hundred eighteen patients (23.3%) had only 1 such condition, 35 (6.9%) had 2, and 1 patient had 3. In patients with at least one of these conditions present, response to IMT was seen in 84.9% of patients with sufficient follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that oMMP may arise as a secondary pathology to acute inflammatory events or chronic inflammatory states of the conjunctiva and ocular surface.

Management of bilateral conjunctival squamous carcinoma following ocular cicatricial pemphigoid: A case report and review of literature

The purpose of this study is to report a case of bilateral highly locally invasive conjunctival squamous neoplasia in the clinical setting of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), and to review the available literature about this rare association.

Case description: A man presented with chronic bilateral conjunctivitis and forniceal foreshortening. He had been previously diagnosed with OCP, and received proper therapy with systemic Dapsone and local steroids. After six months from treatment initiation, the patient complained of worsening symptoms and underwent two more biopsies, revealing a bilateral conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Conclusion: In rare cases, OCP can be associated with conjunctival squamous neoplasia. In case of suspected clinical modifications, it is important to make an early diagnosis by repeating several conjunctival biopsies or by performing less invasive diagnostic techniques (e.g. impression cytology of the ocular surface epithelium) to avoid unnecessary surgical damages.

Repository Corticotropin Injection as an Alternative Treatment for Refractory Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report the clinical course and outcome of patients with refractory ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) treated by repository corticotropin injection (RCI).

METHODS

Patients with biopsy-proven ocular MMP treated with RCI from 3 tertiary medical centers were evaluated. Medical records between January 2013 and January 2021 were reviewed and deidentified to retrieve relevant disease-related data. Primary outcome measures included conjunctival inflammatory activity, change in Foster clinical conjunctival scarring staging after RCI treatment, and the development of ocular and systemic complications.

RESULTS

Included were 15 patients (10 women and 5 men; 36-95 yrs of age) with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Most of the patients (80%) had Foster stage 3 at presentation, and all patients had active MMP. Each patient had failed to respond to at least 1 immunomodulatory drug during the follow-up, and 9 (60%) patients had treatment failure of at least 2 other agents before the use of RCI. The mean duration of RCI treatment was 21 months (range, 3-54 mo). Foster stage did not change in any of the 15 patients at the last follow-up. Nine patients continued RCI therapy at the last follow-up, and in all of them, the disease activity of MMP was well controlled. No serious adverse events because of RCI were documented during the follow-up in any treated patient.

CONCLUSIONS

RCI may serve as an alternative or an adjunctive treatment in patients with severe and refractory ocular MMP. Treatment with RCI seems to be safe and well-tolerated.

Corneal perforation in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid: A CARE-compliant case report

RATIONALE

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a potentially blinding, rare systemic autoimmune disease. The definite etiology of OCP remains under debate, early diagnosis is important to prevent rapid deterioration. The majority of the discussion has been focused on its medical therapeutic strategy, while little effort has been made to study the role of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). We describe the first case of OCP with minimal immunosuppressant and initial ocular surface reconstruction procedure using double layer AMT.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 66-year-old female patient presented to our outpatient department with right eye pain for several days.

DIAGNOSIS

Slit lamp examination revealed the right eye cornea perforation with iris incarceration and total collapse of anterior chamber. Symblepharon formation and severe fornix shortening was also noted. While bulbi phthisis with ankyloblepharon and ocular surface keratinization was observed in the left eye. The final diagnosis was right eye stage III ocular cicatricial pemphigoid complicated with corneal perforation and iris prolapsed.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent ocular surface reconstruction with the aid of amniotic membrane. The first layer of the amniotic membrane was attached with tissue adhesive and fibrin glue while the second layer amniotic membrane came with a conformer ring which supported the fornix space that was recreated. Postoperative care included topical medications for inflammation alleviation. Systemic immunosuppressive agents were not administered except for oral prednisolone.

OUTCOMES

No recurrence of symblepharon was noted during the one year follow-up.

LESSONS

We aim at highlighting the possible important role of AMT in advance OCP. Further investigation is still needed for providing evidence to incorporate the procedure into treatment protocol.

Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells-Physiology, Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Options

In the human cornea, regeneration of the epithelium is regulated by the stem cell reservoir of the limbus, which is the marginal region of the cornea representing the anatomical and functional border between the corneal and conjunctival epithelium. In support of this concept, extensive limbal damage, e.g., by chemical or thermal injury, inflammation, or surgery, may induce limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) leading to vascularization and opacification of the cornea and eventually vision loss. These acquired forms of limbal stem cell deficiency may occur uni- or bilaterally, which is important for the choice of treatment. Moreover, a variety of inherited diseases, such as congenital aniridia or dyskeratosis congenita, are characterized by LSCD typically occurring bilaterally. Several techniques of autologous and allogenic stem cell transplantation have been established. The limbus can be restored by transplantation of whole limbal grafts, small limbal biopsies or by ex vivo-expanded limbal cells. In this review, the physiology of the corneal epithelium, the pathophysiology of LSCD, and the therapeutic options will be presented.

Disease Relapse After Drug-Free Remission in Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

To quantitate the risk of relapse of ocular and extraocular disease among patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) who had undergone drug-free remission.

DESIGN

Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series.

METHODS

There were 167 patients with biopsy-proven MMP who were seen at the Wilmer Eye Institute between November 1984 and December 2019. Among the 167 patients, 119 patients had ocular involvement and 103 of those patients received systemic treatment for MMP. The main outcome measures were the incidence of ocular remission, incidence rate of disease relapse after remission, and risk factors for disease relapse.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up time of 7 years, 74 of 103 treated patients (71.8%) experienced drug-free remission (incidence rate = 0.28/person-year [PY], 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.35/PY). Most patients (80/103, 77.7%) received cyclophosphamide therapy. Thirteen of the 74 patients (17.6%) had disease relapse after remission: 4 with ocular disease only, 4 with extraocular disease only, and 5 with both. The rate relapse of ocular MMP was 0.020/PY (95% CI 0.009-0.038/PY), and the rate of relapse of MMP at any site (ocular or extraocular site) was 0.029/PY (95% CI 0.015-0.050/PY). The use of cyclophosphamide was associated with a greater chance of remission (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.84, P < .0001) and a lower risk of relapse (HR = 0.32, P = .05) compared with other immunosuppressive drugs except for rituximab. Five patients experienced drug-free remission after rituximab therapy and none of them had relapse (median follow-up after remission = 3.6 years). When use of cyclophosphamide or rituximab was compared with all other treatments, the risk of MMP relapse at any site (HR = 0.17, P = .02) and of ocular MMP (HR = 0.11, P = .007) were significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of relapse of MMP after drug-free remission are low but not zero; therefore, monitoring of patients remains necessary. Relapses were not observed among those patients treated with rituximab who had remission; however, follow-up duration in those patients was shorter than the whole MMP cohort and the sample size was small.

Conjunctival Biopsy Site in Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

To investigate if there is an association between the location of the conjunctival biopsy site (lesional, perilesional, or nonaffected) and the result of the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test in patients with suspected mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) involving the ocular surface.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Records of patients with clinically suspected ocular MMP were reviewed to determine the location of the conjunctival biopsy. Conjunctival biopsy locations were defined as "lesional," "perilesional," and "nonaffected" conjunctiva. The DIF was considered positive when there was deposition of at least 1 of either IgM, IgG, IgA, or C3 at the basement membrane of the specimen; nondiagnostic when only fibrinogen was found at the same location; and negative when none of these features were present.

RESULTS

The records of 41 patients were analyzed. Of these, 32 were eligible to be included in the study. Biopsies were lesional in 22% of cases (7/32), perilesional in 22% (7/32), and from nonaffected conjunctiva in 56% (18/32). DIF results were positive in 14% of lesional biopsies, in 86% of perilesional biopsies, and in 17% of those from nonaffected conjunctiva (P = .003). Perilesional biopsies gave higher positive DIF than lesional biopsies (P = .029).

CONCLUSIONS

Perilesional conjunctival biopsies are associated with an increase in positive DIF results. These results support the need to sample perilesional conjunctival tissue in patients with suspected MMP.

Evaluation of IL8 pathway on the ocular surface: new insights in patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid

PURPOSE

To evaluate the expression of IL8/CXCL8 cytokine and its receptor CXCR1 in tear film and ocular surface of patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP).

METHODS

Ten patients with oMMP in the quiescent phase, 20 patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All patients undergone complete eye examination including lacrimal function tests and ocular surface staining assessed by ocular staining score. Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP) staging according to Mondino classification and dry eye severity grade according to Dry Eye Workshop 2007 classification were recorded. Tear samples and conjunctival epithelium were collected. IL-8 tear concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and conjunctival IL8 was analysed by Western blot; conjunctival expression of CXCR1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Il-8 and CXCR1 expression in oMMP patients were compared with HCand pSS patients and correlated with ocular clinical findings.

RESULTS

Tear levels of IL-8 were significantly increased in patients with oMMP (260.1 ± 70 pg/ml) when compared to both HCs (98.5 ± 71.35 pg/ml; p = 0.001) and patients with pSS (96.3 ± 87.5 pg/ml; p = 0.001). Conjunctival expression of IL8 and CXCR1 was significantly increased in oMMP patients when compared to both healthy subjects and pSS patients.

CONCLUSION

The significant increase of tear and conjunctival IL8 and CXCR1 levels in patients with oMMP when compared to healthy subjects and patients with Sjogren syndrome suggests that changes of IL8 pathway are specific of oMMP and may represent a potential biomarker of the disease and/or therapeutic target.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid: A Cohort Study and Literature Review

PURPOSE

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease and a potentially blinding subepithelial blistering disorder. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical spectrum of the disease and to assess the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive agents in a cohort of patients with OCP.

METHODS

We conducted a monocentric retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of all unselected consecutive patients diagnosed with progressive OCP. Ocular and extra ophthalmological involvement as well as histological findings were gathered. Other outcomes were exposures to immunosuppressive agents defined by the use of a particular treatment. For each exposure, success in controlling ocular inflammation was graded as a complete response, response, or failure. Relapses and adverse events (AE) were also recorded.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients (34 affected eyes), 35% of whom were women, were included, with an age at diagnosis of 75 ± 11 years. Corneal involvement was diagnosed in 30 of 34 eyes, and 22 of 34 eyes had progressive fibrosing conjunctival involvement. Sixty-two exposures to immunosuppressive agents or biologics were recorded: dapsone, n = 26; mycophenolate mofetil, n = 6; azathioprine, n = 4; cyclophosphamide, n = 10; rituximab, n = 14; and intravenous immunoglobulin, n = 2. Rates of response and of complete response achievement during the first 3 months were 84% and 45%, respectively. Response rates were 100%, 100%, 86%, 85%, and 80% for intravenous immunoglobulin, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, dapsone, and cyclophosphamide, respectively. Thirteen percent of those drugs were discontinued because of an adverse event in 4 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the efficacy of immunosuppressants or biologics with an acceptable safety profile for OCP.

Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: Current State of Pathophysiology, Diagnostics and Treatment

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a systemic cicatrizing autoimmune disease that primarily affects orificial mucous membranes, such as the conjunctiva, the nasal cavity, the oropharynx, and the genitalia. Ocular involvement occurs in about 70% of all MMP cases. Ocular MMP (OcMMP) also encompasses the conditions linear immunoglobulin A disease, mucosal dominated epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, and anti-laminin 332/anti-epiligrin/anti-laminin 5 pemphigoid. It is a complex clinical entity that may lead to ocular surface failure and result in inflammatory and infectious complications, as well as potentially devastating visual loss. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of paramount importance and require a high level of expertise as this condition can be extremely challenging to diagnose and treat even for experienced clinicians. In this review we provide an up-to-date insight on the pathophysiology of OcMMP, with an emphasis on the current state of its diagnostics and therapeutics. Our the aim is to increase our understanding of OcMMP and highlight modern diagnostic and therapeutic options.

A review of scoring systems for ocular involvement in chronic cutaneous bullous diseases

BACKGROUND

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) describe a group of rare chronic dermatoses characterized by cutaneous fragility and blistering. Although uncommon, significant ocular surface disease (OSD) may occur in both and require ophthalmological assessment. Disease scoring systems have a critical role in providing objective and accurate assessment of disease severity. The objectives of this report were, firstly, to document the prevalence and severity of ocular involvement in EB/AIBD. Secondly, to review and evaluate existing ocular and systemic scoring systems for EB/AIBD. Finally, to identify areas where further development of ocular specific tools in EB/AIBD could be pursued.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in October 2017 utilising Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases. The results were restricted by date of publication, between 01.01.1950 and 31.10.2017. The reference lists of these articles were then reviewed for additional relevant publications. Articles of all languages were included if an English translation was available. Articles were excluded if they were duplicates, had no reference to ocular involvement in EB/AIBD or described ocular involvement in other diseases.

RESULTS

Descriptions of ocular involvement in EB/AIBD were identified in 88 peer-reviewed journal articles. Findings reported include but are not limited to: cicatrising conjunctivitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eye disease, trichiasis, symblepharon, fornix fibrosis, keratopathy, ectropion/entropion, ankyloblepharon, corneal ulceration, visual impairment and blindness. Although scoring systems exist for assessment of OSD in mucous membrane pemphigoid, no such tools exist for the other AIBD subtypes or for EB. Several systemic scoring systems exist in the dermatological literature that are efficacious in grading overall EB/AIBD severity, but have limited inclusion of ocular features. To the best of our knowledge, there is no recognised or validated scoring systems which comprehensively stages or grades the spectrum of ocular manifestations in EB/AIBD.

CONCLUSIONS

There are a range of ocular complications documented in EB and AIBD. Development of a comprehensive ocular scoring system for EB/AIBD which incorporates the delineation between 'activity' and 'damage' would facilitate more objective patient assessment, improved longitudinal monitoring, comparison of intervention outcomes, and provide commonality for discussion of these patients due to the multidisciplinary nature of their care.

Atopy in Patients With Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

To evaluate the presence of atopy in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

METHOD

Patient encounters between August 2005 and November 2016 at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute (MERSI) were searched to identify those with biopsy-proven OCP who had concurrent evidence of atopy.

RESULTS

There were 230 patients with biopsy-proven OCP. Thirty-three of them were found to have clinical symptoms of atopy (asthma, hay fever, and eczema) and of these, 23 had evidence of atopy in their conjunctival biopsy specimens. All patients were administered immunomodulatory therapy for treatment of their OCP with 20 patients requiring additional antiallergy treatment to control residual atopic ocular symptoms. Among patients who used antiallergy medications, 80% showed improvement in residual symptoms. Rituximab and/or intravenous immunoglobulin is a preferred OCP medication for patients with OCP with some evidence of atopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should consider the coexistence of atopy in patients with OCP, especially in those with persistent symptoms after initiation of immunomodulatory therapy.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone analogue as novel treatment regimen in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

Purpose

To report the clinical outcome of a patient with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone gel.

Observations

A 75-year-old female with a biopsy proven ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) presented with bilateral conjunctival inflammation, fornix shortening, subepithelial fibrosis and corneal scarring. The patient was previously treated with topical steroids, topical cyclosporine and lubricating drops, and had undergone several amniotic membrane transplants due to recurrent corneal erosions. Once OCP diagnosis was established, the patient was started on oral corticosteroids (60 mg daily). In order to wean the patient off from systemic steroids, other immunomodulatory agents had been tried, including mycophenolate mofetil (1000 mg twice daily) and methotrexate (up to 25 mg weekly). However, none of these agents adequately controlled the ocular surface inflammation, and the patient experienced bilateral progressive cicatrization and corneal decompensation, as well as the development of side effects from the systemic corticosteroids, methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil therapies. Treatment with twice weekly subcutaneous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel was initiated, along with tapering of systemic corticosteroids. During the 19 months treatment period, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in the ocular surface inflammation, visual acuity was stable and no significant adverse effects were observed. Systemic corticosteroids dosage was successfully reduced from 10 mg/day to none at last follow up.

Conclusions and importance

ACTH gel has shown to be an effective and safe treatment option for chronic, refractory and progressive ocular inflammatory disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with OCP, treated successfully with ACTH gel. This case report may encourage ophthalmologists to employ ACTH gel in the management of OCP.

Conjunctival Squamous Cell Neoplasia Associated With Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid

The purpose of this study was to describe a possible causal relationship between ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) and ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Two middle-aged female patients with already diagnosed OCP were studied in regard to the subsequent onset of conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Their clinical histories, ocular examinations, clinical photographs, and results of biopsies and any ancillary immunofluorescent laboratory evaluation studies were carefully reviewed. One patient had a preinvasive squamous dysplasia and the other an invasive squamous cell carcinoma, both in the unequivocal setting of OCP with bilateral conjunctivitis, symblephara, and forniceal foreshortening. The patients had been receiving intensive immunotherapy consisting of some combination of corticosteroids, rituximab, and interferon alpha. Both patients had a positive immunofluorescent study demonstrating immunoreactants at the level of the epithelial basement membrane. Each patient had 2 earlier negative immunofluorescent studies before a third was positive. While rare, there is 1 previous report of an association between OCP and conjunctival squamous neoplasia. The current report provides more data supporting the proposal that this conjunction is more than a random event. Repeat immunofluorescent studies after an initial negative result in a patient with strong clinical signs of OCP are imperative due to the frequency of false negative studies in the context of clinically persuasive disease.

Clinical Implications of Direct Immunofluorescence Findings in Patients With Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

PURPOSE

To examine the clinical implications of positive or negative direct immunofluorescence biopsies (DIF) in patients with clinically typical ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

The study population was patients with clinically typical ocular MMP disease with documented DIF results who were followed for at least 1 year at the Duke University multidisciplinary ocular MMP clinic. Data were collected by chart review and included patient demographics, clinical examination findings, and history of autoimmune disease and/or malignancy, as well as topical, systemic, and surgical treatments received. Main outcome measures included MMP Disease Area Index, Foster stages, proportion legally blind, duration of follow-up, and use of systemic immunosuppression and ocular procedures in treatment.

RESULTS

In multivariable analysis restricted to 55 patients, patients with negative and positive biopsies were similar in the outcome measures; however, positive-biopsy patients were more likely to be treated with systemic immunosuppression and were followed for longer at our clinic. Patients with isolated ocular disease were also more likely to have negative biopsies compared to those who also had extraocular disease. Patients who had conjunctival biopsies were more likely to have a negative direct immunofluorescence result than patients with biopsies from other sites.

CONCLUSIONS

We encourage clinicians and patients to consider treatment with systemic immunosuppression even in the absence of diagnosis confirmation by DIF. Furthermore, this study supports current standard of care to pursue a nonocular biopsy of normal-appearing, perilesional skin or oral mucosa when possible.

Modulation of Fibroblasts in Conjunctival Wound Healing

Modulating conjunctival wound healing has the potential to improve outcomes after glaucoma filtration surgery and for several ocular disorders, including ocular cicatrial pemphigoid, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and pterygium. Although anti-inflammatories and antimetabolites have been used with success, these nonspecific agents are not without their complications. The search for novel and more targeted means to control conjunctival fibrosis without such limitations has brought much attention to the regulation of fibroblast proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix production, and apoptosis. This review provides an update on where we stand with current antifibrotic agents and outlines the strategies that novel agents use, as they evolve from the bench to the bedside.

AUTOIMMUNE BULLOUS DERMATOSES. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

The review presents modern ideas concerning autoimmune bullous dermatoses (pemphigoid group): Duhring disease, bullous pemphigoid, cicatrizing pemphigus, pemphigoid gestationis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis and acquired bullous epidermolysis. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and modern methods of disease diagnostics are reported. Particular attention is paid to the diagnosis of acquired bullous epidermolysis, in which the leading role belongs to the reaction of immunofluorescence. The pathogenetic similarity between bullous pemphigoid, linear IgA dermatosis, cicatrizing pemphigoid and pemphigoid gestationis is shown, which allows us to regard them as a variety of a single pathological process.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

In this article, pathogenesis, clinical features, as well as methods of diagnosis and treatment of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid are described.

The 2016 Bowman Lecture Conjunctival curses: scarring conjunctivitis 30 years on

This review is in two sections. The first section summarises 35 conditions, both common and infrequent, causing cicatrising conjunctivitis. Guidelines for making a diagnosis are given together with the use of diagnostic tests, including direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and their interpretation. The second section evaluates our knowledge of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid, which is the commonest cause of cicatrizing conjunctivitis in most developed countries. The clinical characteristics, demographics, and clinical signs of the disease are described. This is followed by a review and re-evaluation of the pathogenesis of conjunctival inflammation in mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), resulting in a revised hypothesis of the autoimmune mechanisms causing inflammation in ocular MMP. The relationship between inflammation and scarring in MMP conjunctiva is described. Recent research, describing the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and retinoic acid (RA) in both the initiation and perpetuation of profibrotic activity in MMP conjunctival fibroblasts is summarised and the potential for antifibrotic therapy, using ALDH inhibition, is discussed. The importance of the management of the ocular surface in MMP is briefly summarised. This is followed with the rationale for the use of systemic immunomodulatory therapy, currently the standard of care for patients with active ocular MMP. The evidence for the use of these drugs is summarised and guidelines given for their use. Finally, the areas for research and innovation in the next decade are reviewed including the need for better diagnostics, markers of disease activity, and the potential for biological and topical therapies for both inflammation and scarring.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition blocks mucosal fibrosis in human and mouse ocular scarring

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a systemic mucosal scarring disease, commonly causing blindness, for which there is no antifibrotic therapy. Aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 (ALDH1) is upregulated in both ocular MMP (OMMP) conjunctiva and cultured fibroblasts. Application of the ALDH metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), to normal human conjunctival fibroblasts in vitro induced a diseased phenotype. Conversely, application of ALDH inhibitors, including disulfiram, to OMMP fibroblasts in vitro restored their functionality to that of normal controls. ALDH1 is also upregulated in the mucosa of the mouse model of scarring allergic eye disease (AED), used here as a surrogate for OMMP, in which topical application of disulfiram decreased fibrosis in vivo. These data suggest that progressive scarring in OMMP results from ALDH/RA fibroblast autoregulation, that the ALDH1 subfamily has a central role in immune-mediated ocular mucosal scarring, and that ALDH inhibition with disulfiram is a potential and readily translatable antifibrotic therapy.

Clinical features and in vivo confocal microscopy assessment in 12 patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

AIM

To describe the clinical features and microstructural characteristics assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

METHODS

A descriptive, uncontrolled case series study. Patients diagnosed with OCP were examined by clinical history, slit-lamp biomicroscopy features and IVCM images. The results of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) biopsies and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were also recorded. Local and systemic immunosuppressive therapy were administered and adjusted according to response.

RESULTS

A total of 12 consecutive OCP patients (7 male, 5 female; mean age 60.42±10.39y) were recruited. All patients exhibited bilateral progressive conjunctival scarring and recurrent chronic conjunctivitis was the most frequent clinical pattern. The mean duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis of OCP was 2.95±2.85y (range: 5mo to 10y). The Foster classification varied from stage I to IV and 20 eyes (83%) were within or greater than Foster stage III on presentation. Two of the 12 patients (17%) demonstrated positive DIF; 3 of the 12 (25%) patients reported positive IIF. The mean duration of the follow-up period was 20.17±11.88mo (range: 6 to 48mo). IVCM showed variable degrees of abnormality in the conjuctiva-cornea and conjuctival scarring was detected in all the involved eyes. Corneal stromal cell activation and dendritic cell infiltration presented as ocular surface inflammation, ocular surface keratinization along with the destroyed Vogt palisades was noted in eyes with potential limbal stem cell deficiency. After treatment, remission of ocular surface inflammation was achieved in all the patients, 18 eyes (75%) remained stable, 6 eyes (25%) had recurrent conjunctivitis and cicatrization in 2 eyes (8%) was progressing.

CONCLUSION

As an autoimmune disease, OCP manifests as variable degrees of clinical and laboratory abnormalities with both local and systemic immunosuppressive treatment playing important roles in disease therapy. IVCM can be as a valuable non-invasive technique to assess ocular surface changes in a cellular level with a potential value for providing diagnostic evidence and monitoring therapeutic effects during follow-up.

Salivary IgA and IgG antibodies to bullous pemphigoid 180 noncollagenous domain 16a as diagnostic biomarkers in mucous membrane pemphigoid

BACKGROUND

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an uncommon mucocutaneous immunobullous disorder. Use of saliva for diagnosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the noncollagenous (NC) domain 16a of bullous pemphigoid antigen II (BP180) is not well described.

OBJECTIVE

To establish whether whole or parotid saliva is a suitable alternative to serum for diagnosis of MMP.

METHODS

Precoated BP180-NC16a ELISA plates were used to test serum, and whole and parotid saliva for IgG, IgA and secretory IgA antibodies. Patients with MMP (n = 64) provided matched serum and whole saliva. In addition 18 of the MMP patients also provided matched parotid saliva. Healthy controls (n = 50) provided matched serum and whole saliva and 6 of these additionally provided matched parotid saliva. An additional 16 disease controls provided matched serum, and whole and parotid saliva.

RESULTS

In whole saliva, IgG antibodies were detected in 11/64 (17%), IgA in 23/64 (36%) and a combined positivity in 29/64 (45%). In parotid saliva, IgA antibodies were found in 8/18 (44%). Serum IgG antibodies were detected in 27/64 (42%), serum IgA antibodies in 18/64 (28%) and a combined positivity in 33/64 (52%). Combined use of serum and saliva increased detection of specific antibodies by 30%. Control samples were all negative (positive predictive value of 100% for all tests). The negative predictive values were 62% for IgA saliva, 65% for IgG serum, 59% for IgA serum and 56% for IgG saliva.

CONCLUSIONS

IgG and IgA antibodies may provide a suitable diagnostic marker in MMP. Assay of salivary IgA antibodies to NC16a offers a similar diagnostic predictive value to serum.

NGF Modulates trkANGFR/p75NTR in αSMA-Expressing Conjunctival Fibroblasts from Human Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP)

Objective

In a previous study, we reported the upregulation of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and trkA^NGFR expression in Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP), an inflammatory and remodeling eye disease. Herein, we hypothesize a potential NGF-driven mechanism on fibroblasts (FBs) during OCP remodeling events. To verify, human derived OCP-FBs were isolated and characterized either at baseline or after NGF exposure.

Materials and Methods

Conjunctival biopsies were obtained from 7 patients having OCP and 6 control subjects (cataract surgery). Both conjunctivas and primary FB cultures were characterised for αSMA, NGF and trkA^NGFR/p75^NTR expression. Subcultures were exposed to NGF and evaluated for αSMA, NGF, trkA^NGFR/p75^NTR expression as well as TGFβ1/IL4 release. For analysis, early and advanced subgroups were defined according to clinical parameters.

Results

OCP-conjunctivas showed αSMA-expressing FBs and high NGF levels. Advanced OCP-FBs showed higher αSMA expression associated with higher p75^NTR and lower trkA^NGFR expression, as compared to early counterparts. αSMA expression was in keeping with disease severity and correlated to p75^NTR. NGF exposure did not affect trkA^NGFR levels in early OCP-FBs while decreased both αSMA/p75^NTR expression and TGFβ1/IL4 release. These effects were not observed in advanced OCP-FBs.

Conclusions

Taken together, these data are suggestive for a NGF/p75^NTR task in the potential modulation of OCP fibrosis and encourages further studies to fully understand the underlying mechanism occurring in fibrosis. NGF/p75^NTR might be viewed as a potential therapeutic target.

Management of patients with confirmed and presumed mucous membrane pemphigoid undergoing entropion repair

PURPOSE

To describe the outcomes and medical management necessary to achieve successful lid surgery in patients with biopsy-confirmed and presumed mucous membrane pemphigoid.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

We included patients with positive biopsy results and cases with a typical clinical active bilateral presentation with negative biopsy results but classic features. We identified 11 operated eyes of 7 patients with lid malposition resulting from mucous membrane pemphigoid, particularly cicatricial entropion, that required surgical correction. Complete ophthalmologic history and examination were performed. The main outcome measures were control of ocular inflammation, progression of disease, and surgical success.

RESULTS

A bandage lens was used in 8 (72.7%) eyes to protect the cornea while immunosuppression and control of disease activity were achieved. Control of ocular inflammation before lid surgery was achieved in all cases. Immunosuppressive treatment before lid surgery was used in all cases for a mean of 15.1 months (range, 8.2 to 33.1 months) and after surgery for a mean of 6.6 months (range, 3.0 to 11.2 months). The oral immunosuppressive drugs used were mycophenolate and cyclophosphamide. Prednisone was used concomitantly in 4 (57%) patients. Full surgical success was achieved in all patients, with 1 patient requiring a second intervention because of residual disease. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 20.8 months (range, 6.0 to 30.5 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful entropion repair in patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid can be achieved if control of inflammation is attained before the procedure. Ocular surface protection while achieving disease control is essential in the management of these patients.

Neutrophil collagenase, gelatinase, and myeloperoxidase in tears of patients with stevens-johnson syndrome and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in tears of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

DESIGN

Prospective, noninterventional cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Four SJS patients (7 eyes), 19 OCP patients (37 eyes), and 20 healthy controls who underwent phacoemulsification (40 eyes).

METHODS

Tear washes were collected from all patients and were analyzed for levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, MPO, and TIMP-1 using multianalyte bead-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Total MMP activity was determined using a fluorometric assay. Correlation studies were performed between the various analytes within study groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, MPO, and TIMP-1 (in nanograms per microgram of protein) and total MMP activity (in relative fluorescent units per minute per microgram of protein) in tears; MMP-8-to-TIMP-1 ratio; MMP-9-to-TIMP-1 ratio; and the correlations between MMP-8 and MMP-9 and both MMP and MPO.

RESULTS

MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO levels were elevated significantly in SJS and OCP tears (SJS>OCP) when compared with controls. The MMP activity was highest in SJS patients, whereas OCP patients and controls showed lower and similar activities. The TIMP-1 levels were decreased in SJS and OCP patients when compared with those in controls, with levels in OCP patients reaching significance. The MMP-8-to-TIMP-1 and MMP-9-to-TIMP-1 ratios were markedly elevated in SJS and OCP tears (SJS>OCP) when compared with those of controls. Across all study groups, MMP-9 levels correlated strongly with MMP-8 and MPO levels, and MMP-8 correlated with MPO, but it did not reach significance in SJS patients. There was no relationship between MMP-7 and MPO.

CONCLUSIONS

Because MMP-8 and MPO are produced by inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, the correlation data indicate that they may be the common source of elevated enzymes, including MMP-9, in SJS and OCP tears. Elevated MMP-to-TIMP ratios and MMP activity suggest an imbalance in tear MMP regulation that may explain the predisposition of these patients to demonstrate corneal melting and chronic complications associated with persistent inflammation. Myeloperoxidase in tears may be a sensitive and specific marker for the quantification of ocular inflammation.

[Corneal neovascularization: epidemiological, physiopathological, and clinical features]

Corneal neovascularization is defined as the presence of vessels within the normally avascular corneal stroma. This physiopathological process is the consequence of local hyper-expression of pro-angiogenic factors in response to tissue damage. These new vessels (neovessels), initially immature and poorly developed, predispose the cornea to lipid exudation, inflammation, and scarring. Additionally, the influx of vascular cells into the stroma induces a loss of the cornea's immune privilege, resulting in a higher rate of graft rejection. In this literature review, we touch on epidemiological, physiopathological, and clinical aspects of corneal neovascularization, as well as secondary complications.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid masquerading as chronic conjunctivitis: a case report

Conjunctivitis is often considered an innocuous condition which is self-limiting. This report describes misdiagnosis of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid as chronic conjunctivitis. Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune condition. The clinical features which are useful to distinguish this condition from infective conjunctivitis are discussed. The investigation and treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is discussed. It is important to recognize nonocular symptoms and signs that may indicate the presence of a more serious underlying pathological condition necessitating specialized ophthalmic referral and subsequent investigation and treatment.