Fatma Zaguia1, Alessandro Marchese2,3, Maria Vittoria Cicinelli2,3, Victoria J Miller1, Elisabetta Miserocchi3, Debra A Goldstein4. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Uveitis Service, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Ste 440, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. 2. School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Uveitis Service, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Ste 440, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. debra.goldstein@northwestern.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to report the long-term outcomes of uveitis-associated optic disc and epiretinal neovascularization (NV) treated with immunomodulatory therapy alone. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-center chart review conducted at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) and San Raffaele Scientific Institute (Milan, Italy) from 2014 to 2021 of patients with optic disc and/or retinal neovascularization associated with uveitis. The data collected included age at the time of NV detection, gender, medications, and follow-up period. Imaging was reviewed if available. RESULTS: Eight eyes of six patients were identified. The mean age was 22 years (range 10-52 years); the median follow-up was 3 years (range 6 months to 7 years). All eyes presented with active NV at the time of uveitis onset; 7 eyes were treatment-naïve. None had clinical or angiographic evidence of retinal ischemia. All patients received a variable combination of local steroids, systemic steroids, and systemic immunosuppression. Complete resolution of uveitic NV occurred in all eyes within a median of 8 weeks (ranging 2-20 weeks) from initiating treatment. No NV recurrence was noted. CONCLUSION: Immunomodulatory therapy alone may be successful in achieving long-term control of uveitis-associated NV, without the use of destructive measures.
PURPOSE: This study aims to report the long-term outcomes of uveitis-associated optic disc and epiretinal neovascularization (NV) treated with immunomodulatory therapy alone. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-center chart review conducted at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) and San Raffaele Scientific Institute (Milan, Italy) from 2014 to 2021 of patients with optic disc and/or retinal neovascularization associated with uveitis. The data collected included age at the time of NV detection, gender, medications, and follow-up period. Imaging was reviewed if available. RESULTS: Eight eyes of six patients were identified. The mean age was 22 years (range 10-52 years); the median follow-up was 3 years (range 6 months to 7 years). All eyes presented with active NV at the time of uveitis onset; 7 eyes were treatment-naïve. None had clinical or angiographic evidence of retinal ischemia. All patients received a variable combination of local steroids, systemic steroids, and systemic immunosuppression. Complete resolution of uveitic NV occurred in all eyes within a median of 8 weeks (ranging 2-20 weeks) from initiating treatment. No NV recurrence was noted. CONCLUSION: Immunomodulatory therapy alone may be successful in achieving long-term control of uveitis-associated NV, without the use of destructive measures.