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Purpose: To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).Methods: Narrative literature review.Results: HIV-related PVRL occurs in persons who are relatively young and generally have very low CD4+ T-cell counts. Vitritis with subretinal or sub-retinal pigment epithelial infiltrates is typical. Vitreous cytology remains the gold standard for diagnosis, supplemented by flow cytometry and genetic analyses of tumor cells, and measurement of aqueous or vitreous interleukin-10 levels. Concurrent brain involvement also may establish the diagnosis. Treatment includes antiretroviral therapy (ART), systemic chemotherapy (usually methotrexate-based) and local ocular treatment (intravitreal methotrexate, intravitreal rituximab, external beam radiotherapy). Systemic chemotherapy is of uncertain value for PVRL without other central nervous system involvement. Prognosis is poor, but has improved significantly compared to the pre-ART era.Conclusions: Ophthalmologists should consider the diagnosis of PVRL in HIV-positive individuals who present with intermediate or posterior uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Removal of spherical foreign bodies from the posterior segment can be facilitated by constructing a modified lasso with suture material and an intravenous cannula. These items are readily available and inexpensive. Combined use of an intraocular magnet and modified lasso may be useful in the case of a magnetic pellet. Purpose: To report and demonstrate removal of an intraocular metallic spherical pellet and to describe the construction of a basket instrument. Methods: A 9-year-old boy sustained a pellet gun injury and underwent pars plana vitrectomy to remove an intraocular spherical metallic pellet. A suture loop basket constructed with 3-O nylon and 16-gauge intravenous cannula was used to grasp and remove the foreign body. Results: The pellet was mobilized from a subretinal position and effectively captured in the basket using the light pipe as a second instrument. The captured pellet was successfully removed without slippage via a scleral tunnel incision. Despite reattachment of the retina under silicone oil, the vision deteriorated to no light perception. Conclusion: A simple, readily available basket can be constructed for the effective removal of spherical foreign bodies which are difficult to grasp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the pattern of uveitis at two tertiary hospitals in South Africa which has a high prevalence of HIV, TB and syphilis. Methods: Data of 198 patients were obtained retrospectively between August 2014 and August 2016, including patient demographics, clinical examination, special investigations and final diagnosis. Results: Infectious uveitis was the most common aetiological category (47%), followed by idiopathic (34.8%) and non-infectious (18.2%). Syphilis was the most common identifiable cause (16.2%). Other important causes were toxoplasmosis, herpes viruses, tuberculosis and HLA-B27. HIV positive patients, who constituted 40% of the study population, were more likely to present with a posterior or panuveitis (relative risk 1.50, 95% CI 1.19-1.89) and more likely to have an infectious cause compared to HIV negative patients (relative risk 2.47, 95% CI 1.82-3.35). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of HIV testing and investigations for infectious causes of uveitis, especially syphilis, in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid findings and outcomes of patients diagnosed with ocular syphilis.Methods: Retrospective case review of all patients treated with ocular syphilis at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa between January 2008 and January 2013.Results: A total of 77 eyes of 49 patients were included. Panuveitis was the most common presenting sign (48.9%). A lumbar puncture was performed on 37 patients (75.5%) and 64.8% (24/37) of samples had positive treponemal testing (CSF-FTA) while 24.3% (9/37) had positive non-treponemal testing (CSF-VDRL). Elevated CSF lymphocyte cell count was a strong predictor of neurosyphilis (p = 0.06 for CSF-FTA positive samples and p = 0.03 for CSF-VDRL positive samples).Conclusion: The majority of patients (64.8%) who underwent lumbar puncture had cerebrospinal fluid findings suggestive of neurosyphilis. Elevated CSF lymphocyte cell count and total protein count are highly suggestive of neurosyphilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]