Phacoemulsification Combined with Pars Plana Vitrectomy: Outcome in Horses with Acquired Cataracts Associated with Uveitis

BACKGROUND

Cataracts resulting from equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) or other forms of uveitis are usually associated with rapid progression. ERU is the most common ocular disease cause of blindness and cause of cataracts in horses. The necessity for the posterior capsulorhexis (PC) during phacoemulsification (PE) is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate vision and complications after PE combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in horses with uveitis-associated cataracts and compare the PE technique with and without posterior capsulorhexis.

METHODS

Thirty-two eyes of 28 horses with uveitis-associated cataracts aged 14 months to 19.6 years were treated with PE-PPV under identical conditions. Twenty-three eyes of 21 horses were affected by an ERU-associated (ERU group), and nine eyes of 7 horses were affected by cataracts related to uveitis with pathogenesis different to ERU (non-ERU group). PE-PPV was performed in 12 eyes of 10 horses (PC group) and 20 eyes of 18 horses without posterior capsulorhexis (NPC group). Follow-up examination was performed at a mean of 1.7 ± 1.8 years postoperatively (range: 1 month-6.4 years).

RESULTS

In the period up to 1 month postoperatively, 17/20 (85%) NPC-eyes and 8/12 (67%) PC-eyes (total: 25/32 [78%]) were visual. From 1-6 months postoperatively, 16/20 (80%) NPC-eyes and 7/12 (58.3%) PC-eyes (total: 23/32 [72%]), and from 6-12 months, 7/11 (63.6%) NPC-eyes and 3/8 (37.5%) PC-eyes (total: 10/19 [52.6%]) were visual. From 12-18 months postoperatively, 3/7 (42.9%) NPC-eyes and 2/9 (22.2%) PC-eyes (total: 5/16 [31.3%]), and from 18-24 months, 3/8 (37.5%) NPC-eyes and 1/8 (12.5%) PC-eyes (total: 4/16 [25%]) were visual. After 24 months postoperatively, 2/7 (28.6%) NPC-eyes and 1/8 (12.5%) PC-eyes (total: 3/15 [20%]) were visual. Despite the higher number of visual eyes in the NPC group at each time point, differences were not significant. No obvious differences regarding postsurgical vision were observed between the ERU- and non-ERU groups at each time point. In the overall population, a significant decrease in the number of eyes with postoperative active uveitis was observed during the follow-up examinations (p < 0.001). A significant increase in the number of eyes that were blind due to retinal detachment was observed in the overall patient population as the examination period progressed (p < 0.001). Retinal detachment was the sole long-term cause of blindness.

CONCLUSIONS

In horses diagnosed with uveitis-associated cataracts and treated with PE-PPV, no persistent active uveitis was observed in the present study during follow-up examinations. However, the proportion of eyes that were blind due to retinal detachment increased. Whilst PE-PPV may prevent postsurgical persistent active uveitis and remove lens opacity, the prognosis for a visual outcome is guarded. A superior outcome in postsurgical vision was observed in the NPC group. However, caution is required when interpreting these results due to several factors that affect the independent comparison of the surgical groups.

Full-Thickness Macular Hole: An Exceptional Case Presentation in Behçet's Disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is a vascular disorder affecting a variety of organ systems. It is an auto-immune disease with inflammatory vasculitis that is systemic in nature, the exact etiology of which is unknown. Obliterative vasculitis, recurrent aphthous ulcers, mucocutaneous manifestations, recurrent genital ulcerations, and intraocular inflammation, especially chronic relapsing uveitis, are the characteristic features of BD. The case report presents a unique manifestation of BD in a 20-year-old Pakistani male who presents with a one-year-old history of viral encephalitis, after which he developed a blurring of vision. On examination, he had recurrent aphthous ulcers, recurrent ulcerations of genitalia, and a history of lesions of the skin. After making the patient undergo a cascade of investigations for evaluating and assessing the various signs and symptoms, a diagnosis of BD with bilateral panuveitis and a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in the right eye was established. Immuno-suppressants, steroids, and azathioprine were used as treatment options, following which the state of remission was attained.

A Rare Association of Disseminated Granuloma Annulare With Recurrent Uveitis

Granuloma annulare is a benign chronic inflammatory granulomatous dermatosis with a variable clinical presentation. The disseminated form of the disease is characterized by a widespread papular eruption, primarily affecting the trunk, neck, and extremities. The development of granuloma annulare in patients with systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or dyslipidemia, has been extensively documented. Still, only a few cases of granuloma annulare associated with recurrent uveitis have been reported. Herein, we present a rare case of generalized granuloma annulare that was associated with concomitant recurrent uveitis in a 60-year-old male patient with a history of type II diabetes mellitus. A general physical exam revealed widespread erythematous papules in an annular pattern on the trunk, characteristic of granuloma annulare. A series of tests were conducted, including autoimmune workup, all within normal limits. Histopathologic findings revealed features consistent with granuloma annulare. The patient was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids for the uveitis and isotretinoin for the skin lesions. A close follow-up is recommended given the rare association of granuloma annulare and uveitis.

Development and Psychometric Properties of the Chronic Uveitis-Specific Quality of Life Instrument for Patients with Chronic Uveitis

PURPOSE

To develop and assess psychometric properties of a disease-specific quality of life (QOL) assessment tool for patients with chronic uveitis.

METHODS

The initial 42-item chronic uveitis-related QOL questionnaire (CUQOL) was developed by literature review, semi-structured interviews, and expert consultation. Further development and assessment of the CUQOL were performed using Classic Test Theory and Rasch analysis.

RESULTS

The CUQOL version 1.0 was constructed with 28 items in five dimensions. The five subscales satisfied the requirements of unidimensionality, local independence, and threshold ordering. Cronbach's α coefficient for overall and each scale of the CUQOL 1.0 ranged from 0.75 to 0.94, with test-retest intraclass correlation ranging from 0.95 to 0.99. The CUQOL 1.0 has satisfactory convergent validity (r = 0.41-0.82), reasonable known group validity (p < .05), and good responsiveness (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The CUQOL 1.0 is reliable and vaild for evaluating the QOL of patients with chronic uveitis.

Anterior-Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Unlocks Novel Perspectives: Lacking Iris Anterior Limiting Layer Signal in Uveitis

Chronic uveitis, a challenging intraocular inflammatory condition, presents complexities in diagnosis and management due to its diverse etiologies and manifestations. Anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) has emerged as a pivotal tool in evaluating uveitis, offering high-resolution imaging of anterior segment structures. We present the case of a 49-year-old man diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis and chronic intermediate uveitis, where AS-OCT revealed unique findings. Clinical examination identified a Koeppe nodule. AS-OCT evaluation unveiled hyperreflectivity in the iris stroma and the adjacent nodule. Notably, AS-OCT documented the absence of the hyperreflective anterior limiting layer signal, a novel observation in uveitis assessment. This unprecedented finding underscores the significance of AS-OCT in elucidating uveitis pathophysiology and emphasizes its potential in refining diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this complex ocular condition.

Multimodal Imaging in a Case of Chronic Sympathetic Ophthalmia

We report a case of chronic sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) in a one-eyed patient who was successfully managed with systemic immunosuppression therapy. A 77-year-old one-eyed female presented with progressive diminution of vision in the left eye (OS) for one month. She had previously undergone a right eye (OD) pars plana vitrectomy elsewhere for exogenous post-operative endophthalmitis (after manual small incision cataract surgery five months ago), following which she developed phthisis. Granulomatous panuveitis and advanced cataract were noted in the OS. Findings on multimodal imaging, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and B-scan ultrasonography, were consistent with those of chronic SO. Promptly, oral steroids and systemic immunosuppressants were initiated under the supervision of a rheumatologist. At the three-week follow-up, complete resolution of clinical signs was observed on multimodal imaging. Chronic SO may present with ambiguous clinical signs, leading to a diagnostic dilemma. This may cause a delay in initiating treatment, which can prove to be highly detrimental, especially in one-eyed patients. Multimodal imaging is critical in excluding differential diagnoses and proves to be indispensable in the timely management of this sight-threatening condition.

Anterior chamber migration of a sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant: A case report and review of literature

The purpose of the study was to report a case of migration of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex^®) into anterior chamber and review the literature pertaining to the anterior chamber migration of implant. Clinical data were collected from a patient, in whom a dexamethasone intravitreal implant migrated to anterior chamber. A review of literature was conducted to analyze additional reports. A 59-year-old aphakic patient with recalcitrant cystoid macular edema due to chronic idiopathic uveitis was treated with intravitreal injection of dexamethasone implant. Migration of the implant into anterior chamber was noted after a month of injection. Since his cornea was clear and intraocular pressure was normal, he was managed conservatively. Sixteen such reports of migration of implant into anterior chamber was analyzed to look into the possible etiologies and outcome. Disruption of lens capsule, large basal iridectomy, and prior vitrectomy are the primary risk factors for migration of dexamethasone implant into the anterior chamber.

Osseous Metaplasia (Cataracta Ossea) of Lens Remnants in Chronic Uveitis-A Clinicopathologic Report

PURPOSE

To describe clinically and pathologically the rare occurrence of calcification and osseous metaplasia in lens remnants in both eyes of a patient with pseudophakic chronic uveitis.

METHODS

We performed 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, removal of dislocated intraocular lens (IOL), and secondary IOL fixation in the left eye. A similar procedure was performed in the right eye with 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.

RESULTS

The postoperative visual acuities were 20/30 OD and 20/125 OS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated an abundance of calcified tissue and rare osteoclasts in lacunae, compatible with osseous metaplasia (cataracta ossea).

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge this is the first clinicopathologic report demonstrating cellular metaplasia that resulted in osseous transformation of the cortical lens remnants into bone in both eyes of a psuedophakic patient with chronic granulomatous pan uveitis of unknown etiology. The surgical technique described in the supplemental videos demonstrates an effective way of managing this complication.