Jacqueline Beltz1, Ehud Zamir1,2. 1. a Centre For Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital , Melbourne , Australia and. 2. b Melbourne Eye Specialists , Fitzroy , Victoria , Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To present the largest series reported so far of brimonidine induced granulomatous anterior uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with chronic glaucoma on treatment with brimonidine presenting with anterior uveitis. RESULTS: 19 eyes of 12 patients with chronic glaucoma developed anterior uveitis with granulomatous keratic precipitates after being treated with brimonidine for periods of 7 days to 5 years (mean 19.7 months, +18.6 months). One patient had a gap of 1 year between onset in one eye and onset in the other. Ten eyes (52.6%) had concurrent granulomatous conjunctivitis; 16 eyes were pseudophakic. Stopping brimonidine led to complete, rapid resolution of uveitis in all patients, in most cases (11 eyes, 58%) without topical corticosteroids. No recurrences have occurred after withdrawal of brimonidine, over a follow-up period of 12-52 months (mean 27.9 months, +13.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should be aware of this easily reversible uveitis syndrome that is induced by a common glaucoma medication. Familiarity with this entity is essential in making the correct diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary investigations and interventions.
PURPOSE: To present the largest series reported so far of brimonidine induced granulomatous anterior uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with chronic glaucoma on treatment with brimonidine presenting with anterior uveitis. RESULTS: 19 eyes of 12 patients with chronic glaucoma developed anterior uveitis with granulomatous keratic precipitates after being treated with brimonidine for periods of 7 days to 5 years (mean 19.7 months, +18.6 months). One patient had a gap of 1 year between onset in one eye and onset in the other. Ten eyes (52.6%) had concurrent granulomatous conjunctivitis; 16 eyes were pseudophakic. Stopping brimonidine led to complete, rapid resolution of uveitis in all patients, in most cases (11 eyes, 58%) without topical corticosteroids. No recurrences have occurred after withdrawal of brimonidine, over a follow-up period of 12-52 months (mean 27.9 months, +13.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should be aware of this easily reversible uveitis syndrome that is induced by a common glaucoma medication. Familiarity with this entity is essential in making the correct diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary investigations and interventions.
Entities:
Keywords:
Brimonidine uveitis; drug induced uveitis