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Background: Limited data are available on the prevalence and predictors of clinical sequelae in survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD). The EVD Survivor Clinic in Port Loko, Sierra Leone, has provided clinical care for 603 of 661 survivors living in the district. We did a cross-sectional study to describe the prevalence, nature, and predictors of three key EVD sequelae (ocular, auditory, and articular) in this cohort of EVD survivors., Methods: We reviewed available clinical and laboratory records of consecutive patients assessed in the clinic between March 7, 2015, and April 24, 2015. We used univariate and multiple logistic regression to examine clinical and laboratory features of acute EVD with the following outcomes in convalescence: new ocular symptoms, uveitis, auditory symptoms, and arthralgias., Findings: Among 277 survivors (59% female), median age was 29 years (IQR 20-36) and median time from discharge from an EVD treatment facility to first survivor clinic visit was 121 days (82-151). Clinical sequelae were common, including arthralgias (n=210, 76%), new ocular symptoms (n=167, 60%), uveitis (n=50, 18%), and auditory symptoms (n=67, 24%). Higher Ebola viral load at acute EVD presentation (as shown by lower cycle thresholds on real-time RT-PCR testing) was independently associated with uveitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3·33, 95% CI 1·87-5·91, for every five-point decrease in cycle threshold) and with new ocular symptoms or ocular diagnoses (aOR 3·04, 95% CI 1·87-4·94)., Interpretation: Clinical sequelae during early EVD convalescence are common and sometimes sight threatening. These findings underscore the need for early clinical follow-up of survivors of EVD and urgent provision of ocular care as part of health systems strengthening in EVD-affected west African countries., Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research., (Copyright © 2016 World Health Organization. Published by Elsevier Ltd/Inc/BV. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the differences in vision and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals with ocular and non-ocular sarcoidosis; and to examine the impact of specific demographic and clinical factors on the noted differences., Methods: A cross-sectional study using non-randomized prospective cohort was conducted at the National Eye Institute (protocol number: 06-EI-0239, NCT00379275) from August 31, 2006 until November 15, 2007. Each participant completed vision and HRQOL questionnaires, the Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire (SHQ) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), along with a demographic/environmental exposure survey. Clinical data were collected through an ophthalmic exam as part of the research protocol., Results: The study enrolled 75 biopsy-proven and 20 clinically presumed sarcoidosis participants which were divided into two cohorts, ocular (N = 60) and non-ocular groups (N = 35). The ocular group had significantly lower (P < 0.01) total NEI-VFQ scores compared to the non-ocular group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that participants with ocular sarcoidosis who had an annual household income of < $50,000 (P < 0.01) had significantly lower total SHQ scores while participants with ocular sarcoidosis whose visual acuity was 20/100 or worse had significantly lower total NEI-VFQ scores (P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Ocular involvement impacts both overall and vision-related quality of life among sarcoidosis patients. Lower economic status appears to have a significant impact on the quality of life of sarcoidosis patients. Assessment of visual function and general health status provide pertinent information for individuals with sarcoidosis and should be included in their care to assess burden of their disease on their quality of life.

Three patients with aplastic anemia were evaluated by the ophthalmology service within 2 months of the aplastic anemia diagnosis for bilateral visual loss. The mean age of diagnosis of aplastic anemia was 14.3 years (range: 5 to 19 years) and the mean follow-up was 25 months (range: 15 to 44 months). All 6 eyes demonstrated choroidal ischemia and vitreous hemorrhage. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in four eyes of two patients for non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage; one patient was observed. Successful anatomic outcomes were achieved in 3 of 4 eyes that underwent vitrectomy. Initial visual acuity ranged from 20/80 to bare light perception and final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy including cyclosporine and anti-thymocyte globulin, and two underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. All patients received perioperative platelet and blood transfusions. Pars plana vitrectomy resulted in functional and anatomic success in the majority of eyes in this series. Coordination of medical and surgical care with the hematology service is advisable to stabilize hematologic parameters prior to undertaking a vitreoretinal procedure., (Copyright 2010, SLACK Incorporated.)

Background: In the wake of the West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak of 2014–2016, thousands of EVD survivors began to manifest a constellation of systemic and ophthalmic sequelae. Besides systemic arthralgias, myalgias, and abdominal pain, patients were developing uveitis, a spectrum of inflammatory eye disease leading to eye pain, redness, and vision loss. To investigate this emerging eye disease, resources and equipment were needed to promptly evaluate this sight-threatening condition, particularly given our identification of Ebola virus in the ocular fluid of an EVD survivor during disease convalescence. Methodology/Principal findings: A collaborative effort involving ophthalmologists, infectious disease specialists, eye care nurses, and physician leadership at Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) Hospital in Liberia led to the development of a unique screening eye clinic for EVD survivors to screen, treat, and refer patients for more definitive care. Medications, resources, and equipment were procured from a variety of sources including discount websites, donations, purchasing with humanitarian discounts, and limited retail to develop a screening eye clinic and rapidly perform detailed ophthalmologic exams. Findings were documented in 96 EVD survivors to inform public health officials and eye care providers of the emerging disease process. Personal protective equipment was tailored to the environment and implications of EBOV persistence within intraocular fluid. Conclusions/Significance: A screening eye clinic was feasible and effective for the rapid screening, care, and referral of EVD survivors with uveitis and retinal disease. Patients were screened promptly for an initial assessment of the disease process, which has informed other efforts within West Africa related to immediate patient care needs and our collective understanding of EVD sequelae. Further attention is needed to understand the pathogensis and treatment of ophthalmic sequelae given recent EVD outbreaks in West Africa and ongoing outbreak within Democratic Republic of Congo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the fundus autofluorescence (FAF) features of the inflammatory maculopathies and develop a quantification method for FAF analysis. Methods: This is a retrospective, consecutive case series of patients with inflammatory maculopathies from two tertiary centers. The clinical findings, demographics, and FAF imaging characteristics were reviewed. Foveal autofluorescence (AF) was analyzed. Median and standard deviation (SD) of foveal AF intensity were measured. Results: Thirty eyes of 15 patients were evaluated with both qualitative and quantitative FAF analysis. In acute macular neuroretinopathy, the active phase showed foveal hypoautofluorescence, which became hypoautofluorescent with resolution. In acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, multiple lesions with hypoautofluorescent centers with hyperautofluorescent borders were observed in active disease and became hypoautofluorescent with disease convalescence. In multifocal choroiditis and punctate inner choroiditis, the active hyperautofluorescent lesions progressed to inactive, hypoautofluorescent scars. Active serpiginous choroiditis showed hyperautofluorescent borders adjacent to a helicoid-shaped, hypoautofluorescent scar. Active unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy (UAIM) showed a complex pattern of hypo- andhyperautoflourescence in the macula. The median foveal AF was the greatest in acute macular neuroretinopathy and UAIM among the maculopathies, while the greatest SD of foveal AF intensity was observed in UAIM. Conclusion: The active phase of the majority of inflammatory maculopathies was characterized by hyperautofluorescent lesions. Increased SD of foveal AF correlated with a mixture of hypo-and hyperautoflourescence. Median and SD may be useful metrics in foveal AF and quantifiable values that may be assessed over time as a disease process evolves. Improvements in quantification methods of FAF imaging may allow us to objectively evaluate posterior uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant advances in the diagnosis and therapy for uveitis have been made to improve the quality of care for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. While traditional ophthalmic examination techniques, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography continue to play a major role in the evaluation of patients with uveitis, the advent of spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence into clinical practice provides additional information about disease processes. Polymerase chain reaction and cytokine diagnostics have also continued to play a greater role in the evaluation of patients with inflammatory diseases. The biologic agents, a group of medications that targets cytokines and other soluble mediators of inflammation, have demonstrated promise in targeted immunotherapy for specific uveitic entities. Their ophthalmic indications have continued to expand, improving the therapeutic armentarium of uveitis specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cystoid macular edema (CME) is a rarely reported side effect of nanoparticle albumin bound (nab)-paclitaxel therapy-an antimitotic agent used for breast cancer. We describe a patient with bilateral CME secondary to Abraxane that was minimally responsive to intravitreal bevacizumab. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the use of intravitreal bevacizumab for this condition. A previous report has described the ineffectiveness of concurrent intravenous bevacizumab with Abraxane. This lack of efficacy and knowledge of the mechanism of paclitaxel may provide insights into the mechanisms of CME without angiographic leakage. Methods: Retrospective, interventional case report of a patient with bilateral CME after starting Abraxane therapy for recurrent breast cancer treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) every 4 weeks. Records were reviewed for visual acuity and macular edema as assessed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Results: A 73-year-old patient with recurrent, metastatic breast cancer presented with bilateral visual loss 3 months after nab-paclitaxel was initiated. Baseline visual acuities (VA) were 20/50 in the right eye (OD) and 20/80 in the left eye (OS). Fundus exam showed marked CME in both eyes (OU). Fluorescein angiography was notable for the marked absence of petalloid late-phase leakage characteristic of vascular, ischemic, and inflammatory causes of CME. SD-OCT showed marked cystoid spaces predominantly involving the outer and inner nuclear layers with central subfield thicknesses (CST) of 398 μm OD and 441 μm OS. Serial intravitreal bevacizumab injections (OD, 2 injections; OS, 3 injections) were administered on a 4-week basis with an improvement and stabilization of VA at 20/50 OD and 20/70 OS. However, CME on SD-OCT persisted with CST of 492 μm OD and 478 μm OS. Conclusions: The pathogenesis of CME without leakage is poorly understood; however, fluid accumulation in Muller cells due to toxicity has been proposed. The persistence of CME suggests that additional nonvascular endothelial growth factor-mediated mechanisms are involved. Improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-associated CME is needed, especially in patients with limited systemic options for metastatic carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ebola virus disease (EVD) and emerging infectious disease threats continue to threaten life, prosperity and global health security. To properly counteract EVD, an improved understanding of the long-term impact of recent EVD outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo are needed. In the wake of recent outbreaks, numerous health sequelae were identified in EVD survivors. These findings include joint pains, headaches, myalgias, and uveitis, a vision-threatening inflammatory condition of the eye. Retrospective and more recent prospective studies of EVD survivors from West Africa have demonstrated that uveitis may occur in 13–34% of patients with an increase in prevalence from baseline to 12-month follow-up. The clinical spectrum of disease ranges from mild, anterior uveitis to severe, sight-threatening panuveitis. Untreated inflammation may ultimately lead to secondary complications of cataract and posterior synechiae, with resultant vision impairment. The identification of Ebola virus persistence in immune privileged organs, such as the eye, with subsequent tissue inflammation and edema may lead to vision loss. Non-human primate models of EVD have demonstrated tissue localization to the eye including macrophage reservoirs within the vitreous matter. Moreover, in vitro models of Ebola virus have shown permissiveness in retinal pigment epithelial cells, potentially contributing to viral persistence. Broad perspectives from epidemiologic studies of the outbreak, animal modeling, and immunologic studies of EVD survivors have demonstrated the spectrum of the eye disease, tissue specificity of Ebola virus infection, and antigen-specific immunologic response. Further studies in these areas will elucidate the mechanisms of this highly prevalent disease with the potential for improved therapeutics for Ebola virus in immune-privileged sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]