Pars plana vitrectomy in patients with intermediate uveitis

Pediatric Pars Planitis: A Review

PURPOSE

To provide an overview of pediatric pars planitis.

METHODS

Narrative literature review.

RESULTS

Pars planitis refers to the idiopathic subset of intermediate uveitis in which there is vitritis along with snowball or snowbank formation occurring in the absence of an associated infection or systemic disease. It is thought to be a T-cell mediated disease with a genetic predisposition. Pars planitis accounts for 5-26.7% of pediatric uveitis cases. Presentation is commonly bilateral but asymmetric, often with insidious onset of floaters and blurred vision. Although pars planitis is known to be a benign form of uveitis in most cases, severe complications secondary to chronic inflammation may arise, with cystoid macular edema being the most common cause of visual morbidity. Mild vitritis in the absence of symptoms, vision loss, or macular edema may be observed. Patients with severe vitritis and/or associated vision-threatening complications require prompt aggressive treatment. A stepladder approach including corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, anti‑tumor necrosis factor‑alpha and pars plana vitrectomy and/or laser photocoagulation is the most commonly used method for treatment of pars planitis.

CONCLUSION

Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of pediatric pars planitis and associated complications are crucial in order to improve visual outcomes.

Intermediate Uveitis: A Review

PURPOSE

This review aims to provide an update on the clinical presentation, etiologies, complications, and treatment options in intermediate uveitis (IU).

METHODS

Narrative literature review.

RESULTS

IU affects all age groups with no clear gender predominance and has varied etiologies including systemic illnesses and infectious diseases, or pars planitis. In some instances, IU may be the sole presentation of an underlying associated condition or disease. Management of IU and its complications include administration of corticosteroids, antimetabolites, T-cell inhibitors, and/or biologics, along with surgical interventions, with varying degrees of effectiveness across literature. In particular, increasing evidence of the safety and efficacy of immunomodulatory agents and biologics has seen greater adoption of these therapies in clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

IU is an anatomical description of uveitis, involving intraocular inflammation of the vitreous, peripheral retinal vasculature, and pars plana. Various treatment options for intermediate uveitis are currently used in practice.

Therapeutic Vitrectomy in the Management of Uveitis: Opportunities and Challenges

PURPOSE

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) has been traditionally used for diagnostic tapping or for management of posterior segment complications, in uveitis. The anti-inflammatory potential of therapeutic PPV, independent of its role in managing uveitis complications, is yet to be realised completely. In this narrative review, we have described the indications, surgical technique, and outcomes of therapeutic PPV in the management of uveitis.

METHODS

Literature review of PubMed database for articles relating directly or indirectly, to the anti-inflammatory effect of therapeutic PPV in the management of uveitis. Of the 876 articles retrieved on initial review, only 37 articles were found to be relevant for the purpose of this review.

RESULTS

Therapeutic PPV is effective in controlling vitreous inflammation, improving visual outcomes and reducing the need for immunosuppressive medications in a wide range of infectious and non-infectious uveitis. Careful patient selection and meticulous surgical handling are mandatory. Post-operative complications include cataract progression, raised intraocular pressure, hypotony, retinal breaks, and worsening of cystoid macular edema. Despite being introduced more than 40 years ago, most data on therapeutic PPV remain retrospective. The possibility of therapeutic PPV replacing conventional medical therapy remains unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic PPV can control intraocular inflammation, independent of its role in managing posterior segment complications of uveitis. However, its exact place in the anti-inflammatory armamentarium against uveitis remains uncertain.

Insights into multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This paper is a scoping review of research on multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated uveitis to determine its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the medical databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane was carried out on 25 November 2019, to identify papers published between 1980 and 2019 that focus on patients with MS-associated uveitis.

RESULTS

Based on large cohort studies (n ≥ 1000), the prevalence of uveitis in patients with MS is estimated to be 0.53-1.34% (mean = 0.83%), and MS is diagnosed in 0.52-3.20% (mean = 1.30%) of patients with uveitis. The condition is most frequent among middle-aged women. Patients usually complain of floaters and/or blurred vision, with bilateral intermediate uveitis (with retinal vasculitis) as the most frequent ophthalmological finding. Both MS and intermediate uveitis are associated with HLA-DRB1*15:01 and IL-2RA gene polymorphism rs2104286 A > G, suggesting a common genetic background. T cells, and possibly B cells, play an important role in both autoimmune disorders. Multiple sclerosis (MS)-related uveitis is classically treated as non-infectious uveitis, with corticosteroids as the first treatment step. Other treatments include immunosuppressants, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy. These treatment options have a limited, if any, effect on the course of MS and can be complicated by side-effects. As treatment strategies for MS have increased in the last decade, it would be interesting to evaluate the efficacy of these new treatments during the course of uveitis. Moreover, the correlation between retinal periphlebitis and MS could be established more accurately with the recently developed techniques of wide-field fluorescein angiography in a large cohort of MS patients.

CONCLUSION

MS-associated uveitis is a rare, highly discussed pathology about which much is still unknown. Large epidemiological studies and extrapolation of new MS treatments to this condition are warranted.

Pars plana vitrectomy in uveitis in the era of microincision vitreous surgery

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in uveitis is indicated for various diagnostic and therapeutic indications. With the advent of microincision vitreous surgery (MIVS), the use of PPV in uveitis has increased with a wider spectrum of indications due to shorter surgical time, less patient discomfort, less conjunctival scarring, and a decreased rate of complications as compared to standard 20G vitrectomy. Because of faster post-operative recovery in terms of visual improvement and reduction of inflammation, and reduced duration of systemic corticosteroids, MIVS has gained popularity in uveitis as an adjunctive therapy to the standard of care medical therapy. The safety and efficacy of MIVS is related to the emerging vitrectomy techniques with better and newer cutters, illuminating probes, and accessory instruments. Because of the instrumentation and fluidics of MIVS, PPV is emerging as a safe and useful alternative for diagnostic challenges in uveitis, aiding in earlier diagnosis and better outcome of inflammatory disease, even in the presence of severe and active inflammation, which was once considered a relative contraindication for performing vitreous surgery. However, for surgical interventions for therapeutic indications and complications of uveitis, it is advisable to achieve an optimum control of inflammation for best results. The increasing reports of the use of MIVS in uveitis have led to its wider acceptance among clinicians practicing uveitis.

Bilateral hypopyon in syphilitic uveitis

PURPOSE

To report an atypical bilateral hypopyon presentation of syphilitic uveitis.

OBSERVATIONS

A 38-year-old male presented with a 2-day history of bilateral progressive visual loss, conjunctival hyperemia, and photophobia. Initial ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral hypopyon and vitritis that limited the examination of the posterior segment. The physical exam revealed cervical lymphadenopathy, glossal leukoplakia, erythematous maculae on the hard palate, erythematous macular lesions on both palms, onychodystrophy, onycholysis, and psoriasiform plaques on both plantar surfaces, testicular tenderness, and hypopigmented patches on the scrotal and perianal skin. A therapeutic and diagnostic vitrectomy was performed on the right eye, and the intraoperative findings were consistent with severe vitritis and pre-retinal precipitates. The cytopathologic analysis of the right vitreous revealed a mixed inflammatory process composed of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and neutrophils in a proteinaceous background. Laboratory testing revealed positive serum RPR, CSF FTA-Abs and VDRL, and HIV serology. Treatment with a 2-week course of intravenous penicillin G 4 million units every 4 hours and topical corticosteroids resulted in complete resolution of the uveitis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Bilateral hypopyon uveitis may be a rare presentation of syphilitic uveitis. As with most forms of uveitis, syphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with bilateral hypopyon.

Leptospiral antibody prevalence and surgical treatment outcome in horses with Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) in Switzerland

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate leptospiral antibody prevalence in 65 horses with ERU and compare outcome in 36 surgically treated eyes (2010-2015).

PROCEDURES

Retrospective data analysis of horses with ERU (n = 65). C-value calculation with microagglutination assay titer (MAT) results for Leptospira spp. Evaluation of follow-up data after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV, n = 21 eyes) and suprachoroidal cyclosporine device implantation (SCDI, n = 15 eyes). Differences between groups were statistically analyzed using Fishers exact test, significance set at P < .05.

RESULTS

Positive leptospiral titers were found in 28/65 blood, 31/65 aqueous humor (AH), and 19/20 vitreal (post-PPV) samples. The most common intraocular serovars were Leptospira interrogans grippotyphosa, pomona, and bratislava. Intraocular antibody production was suspected in samples of 22 horses (c-values > 1). Mean follow-up of surgical cases was 3.8 years (PPV) and 3.4 years (SCDI). PPV was performed in 21 eyes with positive, SCDI in 15 eyes with negative leptospiral test results. Uveitis recurred less often after PPV (2/21) compared to SCDI (6/15, P = .04). Retinal detachment occurred after PPV only (5/21, SCDI 0/15, P = .06), whereas only SCDI-treated eyes were enucleated (PPV 0/21, SCDI 3/15, P = .06). Blindness or visual impairment was equally likely to occur in both treatment groups after surgery (PPV 7/21, SCDI 7/15, P = .5).

CONCLUSIONS

Leptospiral antibody prevalence is high in horses with ERU in Switzerland. Recurrence of uveitis is uncommon following PPV in the present study; an increased risk of retinal detachment exists. Enucleation is more often warranted in horses after SCDI in this study due to a higher uveitis recurrence.

Cytopathology and Polymerase Chain Reaction of Vitreous Fluid in Tubercular Intermediate Uveitis

Purpose: Cytopathology of vitreous is most commonly done to diagnose vitreoretinal lymphoma in eyes with nonspecific inflammation. Vitreous cytopathology features of tuberculous intermediate uveitis have not been described in literature.Case report: We report a case of a healthy 35-year-old female who showed granulomatous inflammatory changes on vitreous cytopathology with polymerase chain reaction confirming a diagnosis of intraocular tuberculosis.Conclusion: This case highlights the role of cytopathology in determining the etiology and pathogenesis behind the elusive diagnosis of intermediate uveitis. Polymerase chain reaction can further help in confirming the diagnosis and allowing commencement of appropriate therapy.

Surgical Therapy for Macular Edema: What We Have Learned through the Decades

Macular edema is a leading cause of functional visual loss in retinal vascular or ocular inflammatory diseases. Because persistent macular edema can lead to irreversible retinal damage, multi-approached treatment should be considered to achieve complete resolution of macular edema. With an enhanced understanding of its pathophysiology, numerous therapeutic options have been developed for the management of macular edema over the decades. Although medical therapies account for the mainstay of treatment, surgical approaches with vitrectomy can play an important role in the management of macular edema, depending on its mechanism of fluid accumulation. The index review focuses on the efficacy of surgical therapy for macular edema secondary to various ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and retinal vein occlusion, and consequently provides the evidences that may expand the knowledge and support the employment of surgical options.

Long-term results of pars plana vitrectomy as an anti-inflammatory therapy of pediatric intermediate uveitis resistant to standard medical treatment

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) as an anti-inflammatory therapy in pediatric recurrent intermediate uveitis.

METHODS

A retrospective study evaluated the long-term results of PPV indicated for intermediate uveitis with a mean observation period of 10.3 years (range 7-15.6 years) in 6 children (mean age 8 years, range 6-12 years). Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on 10 eyes in the standard manner and was initiated by vitreous sampling for laboratory examination. Data recorded were perioperative or postoperative vitrectomy complications, anatomic and functional results of PPV, and preoperative and postoperative best-corrected Snellen visual acuity.

RESULTS

No perioperative or postoperative complications were observed. Bacteriologic, virologic, mycotic, and cytologic analysis of the vitreous was negative in all tested children. Five eyes were subsequently operated on for posterior subcapsular cataracts. An average preoperative visual acuity of 0.32 improved to an average postoperative visual acuity of 0.8.

CONCLUSIONS

In the case of systemic immunosuppressive treatment failure in pediatric uveitis, particularly in eyes with cystoid macular edema, we recommend PPV relatively early.

Disease Remission in Children and Adolescents with Intermediate Uveitis: A Survival Analysis

PURPOSE

To report the incidence rate (IR) of remission in pediatric noninfectious intermediate uveitis (IU).

METHODS

Longitudinal retrospective cohort study, including 19 patients (32 eyes) between 1985 and 2014, followed-up until loss or January 2016. Remission was defined following the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature workshop criteria, prolonged remission as a remission spanning 12 months and until the end of follow-up, and relapse as recurrence of inflammatory activity in an eye in remission.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 6.3 years. IRs (95% confidence interval) for remission, relapse, and prolonged remission were 18.6 (13.1-26.5), 32.3 (20.6-50.7), and 6.7 (3.8-11.9) episodes per 100 eye-years, respectively. 48% of eyes relapsed in the first year following remission. 25 and 50% of eyes achieved prolonged remission after 5 and 10 years of follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory relapses may be frequent in noninfectious IU affecting children and adolescents, appearing early after remission. Also, prolonged remission seems infrequent, being achieved late during follow-up.

Analysis of clinical features and visual outcomes of pars planitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment and outcomes of patients with pars planitis in a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with pars planitis were retrospectively reviewed. The data including demographic and ocular features and treatment outcomes were recorded. The distribution of clinical findings and complications were evaluated according to age and gender groups. The changes in final BCVA compared to the initial BCVA were noted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (Version 18.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (54 eyes) were included in this study. 16 patients were male (59.3%), and 11 were female (40.7%). Mean age at diagnosis was 12.84 ± 8.26 (range 4-36) years. Mean follow-up period was 61.3 ± 52.15 (range 9-172) months. Mean BCVA was 0.58 ± 0.36 (range 0.03-1.00) (0.40 ± 0.45 logMAR) at presentation, and 0.81 ± 0.28 (range 0.10-1.00) (0.14 ± 0.27 logMAR) at final visit (P = 0.001). Vitreous inflammation (100%), vitreous haze (92.6%), snowballs (74.1%), snowbanks (66.7%), anterior chamber cells (66.7%) and peripheral retinal vascular sheathing (48.1%) were the most common presentations. Ocular complications included vitreous condensation (51.9%), cystoid macular edema (22.2%), cataract (18.5%), inferior peripheral retinal detachment (11.1%), glaucoma (5.6%) and vitreous hemorrhage (3.7%). Treatments included topical, periocular, intravitreal and systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, peripheral laser photocoagulation and pars plana vitrectomy when needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Pars planitis is an idiopathic chronic intermediate uveitis mostly affecting children and adolescents. In spite of its chronic nature with high potential of causing ocular complications, adequate treatment and close follow-up lead to favorable visual outcomes.

Pars Planitis: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Management and Visual Prognosis

Pars planitis is an idiopathic chronic intermediate uveitis which predominantly affects children and adolescents, and accounts for 5-26.7% of pediatric uveitis. Although an autoimmune process with a genetic predisposition has been suggested, its etiology still remains unknown. The most common presenting symptoms are floaters and blurred vision. Diffuse vitreous cells, haze, snowballs and snowbanks are typical findings of pars planitis. Peripheral retinal vasculitis, optic disc edema and anterior segment inflammation are other well-known findings. Although pars planitis is known to be a benign form of uveitis in most cases, it may become a potentially blinding disease due to complications including cataract, cystoid macular edema, vitreous opacities and optic disc edema. Cystoid macular edema is the most common cause of visual morbidity. Band keratopathy, epiretinal membrane formation, vitreous condensation, neovascularizations, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, cyclitic membranes, glaucoma and amblyopia may develop as a consequence of the chronic course of the disease. Exclusion of infectious and non-infectious causes which may present with intermediate uveitis is of utmost importance before starting treatment. Treatment of pars planitis has been a controversial issue. There is no consensus specifically for treatment of cases with minimal inflammation and relatively good visual acuity. However, current experience shows that pars planitis may cause severe inflammation and needs an aggressive treatment. A stepladder approach including corticosteroids, immunosupressive agents, anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha and pars plana vitrectomy and/or laser photocoagulation is the most commonly used method for treatment of pars planitis. Adequate control of inflammation and prompt detection of associated complications are crucial in order to improve the overall prognosis of the disease.

Diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy and aqueous analyses in patients with uveitis of unknown cause

PURPOSE

To compare the yield of diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the yield of aqueous analyses in patients with uveitis of unknown cause.

METHODS

Seventy-five consecutive patients (84 eyes) with uveitis involving posterior eye segment who undergo a diagnostic PPV from 2005 through 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Vitreous specimens were simultaneously analyzed by microbiological culture, flow cytometry, and cytology as well as by polymerase chain reaction and for intraocular antibody production by Goldmann-Witmer coefficient. In 53 eyes, both aqueous and vitreous samples were assessed. The primary outcome measure was the comparison between vitreous and aqueous analyses.

RESULTS

Vitreous analysis was positive in 18 of 84 eyes (21%). Positive results indicated infectious uveitis in 12 of 18 cases (67%) and lymphoma in 6 of 18 (33%) cases. Of the 53 eyes with both aqueous and vitreous samples available, aqueous analysis revealed the diagnosis in 6 of 53 eyes and vitreous in 9 of 53 eyes. Unilateral uveitis (P = 0.022), panuveitis and uveitis posterior (P ≤ 0.001), preoperative immunosuppressive therapy (P = 0.004), and increasing age (P = 0.018) were associated with an increased diagnostic yield of PPV. Overall, 1 year after PPV, median visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/80 (Snellen, P ≤ 0.001). Of 18 patients who were on immunosuppressive treatment before PPV, 8 (44%) were able to stop immunosuppressive therapy during 1-year follow-up. The complications of PPV consisted predominantly of cataract development (33/65, 51%).

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic PPV with the analysis of vitreous fluid by multiple laboratories for infectious and malignant disorders was useful in diagnosing uveitis of unknown cause. Previous aqueous analysis was especially valuable for the diagnosis of intraocular infections and may therefore decrease the number of patients who would otherwise undergo an invasive diagnostic PPV. Furthermore, PPV was associated with improved visual acuity and decreased use of immunosuppressive therapy.

Long-Term Outcomes Following Trabeculectomy Combined with 25-Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy in Uveitis Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of combined trabeculectomy (TLE) and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV-25) for uveitis patients.

METHODS

Combined TSV-25/TLE was performed in 9 eyes of 6 patients with vitreoretinal complications and intractable glaucoma. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), inflammatory control, and number of hypotensive medications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Visual acuity improved in 7 of 9 eyes and inflammation was controlled with a decreased oral anti-inflammatory agent dosage in all eyes. Mean IOP, which was 28.11 ± 4.83 mmHg preoperatively, was significantly reduced (15.77 ± 2.68 mmHg) 5 years after surgery (p = 0.008). The mean number of IOP-lowering medications was 3.33 ± 0.71 before surgery and 1.11 ± 0.92 5 years after surgery (p = 0.007). Two eyes required implant of an Ahmed drainage valve during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Combined TSV-25/TLE can be effective in managing vitreoretinal complications and elevated IOP in uveitis patients.

Review of Intermediate Uveitis

The purpose of this article is to highlight evidence about the medical and surgical management of intermediate uveitis (IU). Updated understandings of the immunopathology of IU were reviewed in this retrospective literature review. Literature selection for this review was based on the PubMed database (National Library of Medicine) and OVID database (Wolters Kluwer). Articles deemed relevant were selected and highlighted. Intermediate uveitis is most often a benign form of uveitis. Since intermediate uveitis has been described in association with different systemic disorders, the initial diagnostic evaluation should serve to exclude masquerade syndromes and infectious diseases in which immunosuppression may be ineffective or contraindicated. Although the pathogenesis of intermediate uveitis is not fully understood, identification of proinflammatory molecules involved in the IU has contributed to the development and implementation of new therapies. Studies about the use of various immunosuppressants, biological agents and surgical treatment on IU have provided more evidence for managing IU. Nevertheless, corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment. The treatment options of intermediate uveitis are evolving, with the development of various immunosuppressants and biological agents. The management of intermediate uveitis should be tailored individually, based on specific causes of the disease and associated complications.

Vitrectomy for Persistent Panuveitis in Behçet's Disease

PURPOSE

To determine whether vitrectomy is safe and effective for the management of vitreoretinal complications in Behçet's patients with persistent panuveitis.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone therapeutic vitrectomy for Behçet's panuveitis were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients who had shown persistent uveitis despite maximum medical therapy were included. Surgical outcomes were measured by an improvement in vision of 0.3 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution, acute relapse rates, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients with a mean postoperative follow-up of 30 months were identified. For almost all patients visual acuity and inflammatory control were significantly improved after vitrectomy. However, patients with optic disc neovascularization (NVD) showed no improvement in their vision or inflammatory control. The postoperative rise of intraocular pressure was frequently associated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that vitrectomy may be both safe and effective for the management of vitreoretinal complications in Behçet's patients with persistent uveitis. Patients with NVD, however, may have poor outcomes.

Vitrectomy for juvenile uveitis: prognostic factors for the long-term functional outcome

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the long-term effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in children and adolescents with chronic uveitis on visual function, anatomical outcome, and the requirement of systemic treatment. Further, predictive preoperative factors associated with a beneficial visual outcome were assessed.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 29 eyes of 23 consecutive paediatric and juvenile patients below 20 years of age with chronic uveitis who underwent a PPV for visually significant opacities in 25 eyes, vitreous haemorrhage in three eyes, and retinal detachment in one eye. The clinical diagnosis was chronic intermediate uveitis in 22 eyes and retinal vasculitis of different origin in seven eyes.

RESULTS

LogMAR visual acuity improved from an average of 0.91 to 0.33 (P<0.001). Cystoid macular oedema (CME) was significantly reduced in eight of 10 eyes postoperatively (P=0.021). In the multiple regression analysis, a low preoperative logMAR visual acuity and the presence of a CME had a negative influence on the final logMAR visual acuity. Furthermore, the appearance of chronic uveitis relapses was significantly reduced from 15 eyes before to seven eyes after surgery (P=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

PPV has a beneficial effect on the course and the complications of chronic uveitis in paediatric and juvenile patients with respect to the anatomical and visual outcome. Preoperative logMAR visual acuity and clinically significant CME were the most accurate predictors for the functional outcome.

Vitrectomy in the treatment of uveitis

PURPOSE

To assess the evidence that pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is useful in improving vision, reducing disease activity, or ameliorating cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients with uveitis.

DESIGN

Review of the literature.

METHODS

A Medline search was conducted for relevant articles published in English, German, or French. Articles were analyzed for content and evidence level.

RESULTS

A total of 44 interventional case series published between 1981 and 2005 were identified that included 1575 patients (1762 eyes). Evidence level was grade CII-3 indicating possibly improved clinical outcomes with fair or poor evidence. The average age of patients was 36 years with a median duration of uveitis before surgery of 48 months and a median follow-up of 1.9 years. Intermediate uveitis was present in 841 eyes. Cystoid macular edema and cataract were common co-morbidities, and there were large numbers of additional surgical procedures. Visual outcomes in 39 articles were stated as improved in 708 eyes (68%), unchanged in 202 eyes (20%), and worsened in 124 eyes (12%). Reduction in systemic medication following PPV was reported in 25 studies. The median reported percentage of patients per study with CME was 36% preoperatively and 18% postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the evidence in the literature, PPV is possibly relevant to the outcomes of improving vision and reducing inflammation and CME. Randomized, controlled, collaborative trials or hypothesis-based case series with precise outcome measures that incorporate control groups would improve the quality of evidence supporting PPV as an adjunct to the medical treatment of uveitis.

Pars plana vitrectomy assisted by triamcinolone acetonide for refractory uveitis: a case series study

AIM

To examine the outcome of a triamcinolone acetonide (TA) assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for refractory uveitis.

METHODS

Six patients suffering from proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) with refractory uveitis underwent a TA assisted PPV. The patients consisted of one with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, one with acute retinal necrosis, one with Behçet's disease, and three with sarcoidosis. TA was inoculated into the vitreous cavity to visualise the vitreous. In four of six patients, 4 mg of TA were intentionally left in the vitreous cavity to reduce the degree of postoperative inflammation.

RESULTS

The vitreous body was clearly seen using TA during surgery, which greatly helped us to perform a posterior hyaloid resection safely and thoroughly. As we previously observed in other disease, TA allowed us to visualise the transparent vitreous and thus was helpful in removing the vitreous cortex from the retina completely in uveitis. One patient (Behçet's disease, in whom TA was intentionally left) showed an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) transiently after surgery which was controllable by topical eye drops. The remaining TA diminished day by day and had almost completely disappeared within a month from operation.

CONCLUSION

TA improved the visibility of the hyaloid and the safety of the surgical procedures and no serious complications were observed after TA assisted PPV in uveitis. Although the long term effects are still unknown, this method appears to be potentially useful as an improved treatment for PVR associated with refractory uveitis.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis commonly involves the eye, causing uveitis, the lacrimal gland, and the cranial nerves, including the optic nerve itself. Several microorganism types have recently been located in sarcoid granulomas, suggesting an infective cause in predisposed individuals. The approach to diagnosis has been refined, including the use of high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. New ophthalmic manifestations have been described, suggesting a wider role for sarcoidosis in intraocular inflammation, and indocyanine green angiography has clarified choroidal involvement. Immunosuppressive and anticytokine treatments can be effective in severe systemic sarcoidosis and should be considered in sight-threatening disease.