A number of medications have been associated with uveitis. This review highlights both well-established and recently reported systemic, topical, intraocular, and vaccine-associated causes of drug-induced uveitis, and assigns a quantitative score to each medication based upon criteria originally described by Naranjo and associates.
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1869-5760-3-43) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
NL drafted the manuscript. SG, RM, and EC provided guidance, and reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Review
Introduction
Although most cases of uveitis are due to autoimmune disorders or infections, medications are recognized as an increasingly important cause of uveitis. A number of medications encompassing various forms of administration, including topical formulations, periocular and intraocular injections, and systemic medications, have been associated with uveitis. The recent availability of treatments for neovascular diseases of the retina and choroid with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents has increased the prevalence and recognition of drug-induced uveitis. The mechanism(s) underlying drug-induced uveitis are generally unclear, although both inflammatory and toxic reactions have been suggested to play a role [1‐3]. As such, for each agent summarized below, we only discuss the mechanism of drug-induced uveitis when specific studies have provided additional insight. This review highlights both well-established and recently reported systemic, topical, intraocular, and vaccine-associated causes of drug-induced uveitis. Although many drugs have been reported as causing uveitis, only those drugs with multiple independent publications to help confirm causation were further ranked. Using an algorithm originally proposed by Naranjo and associates, we quantitatively describe the association of various drugs to uveitis as ‘definite,’ ‘probable,’ ‘possible,’ and ‘doubtful’ (Table 1) [4]. Naranjo scores of 9 or higher imply a definite association, scores of 5 to 8 a probable association, scores of 1 to 4 a possible association, and scores of 0 make an association doubtful. Table 2 lists the drugs most strongly associated with uveitis. Table 3 provides a list of those reviewed in the current paper and their likelihood of causing uveitis based on the Naranjo scoring system. In addition, the likelihood of causation per the Naranjo criteria is listed in parentheses next to the name of the medication in each subsection. Current updates regarding specific agents may be found at http://www.eyedrugregistry.com.
Table 1
The Naranjo scoresheet for assessing the association between a medication and an adverse reaction
Question
Yes
No
Not known
Score
1. Are there previous conclusive reports on this reaction?
+1
0
0
2. Did the adverse event appear after the suspected drug was administered?
+2
−1
0
3. Did the adverse reaction improve when the drug was discontinued or a specific antagonist was administered?
+1
0
0
4. Did the adverse reaction reappear when the drug was readministered?
+2
−1
0
5. Are there alternative causes (other than the drug) that could on their own have caused the reaction?
−1
+2
0
6. Did the reaction reappear when a placebo was given?
−1
+1
0
7. Was the drug detected in the blood (or other fluids) in concentrations known to be toxic?
+1
0
0
8. Was the reaction more severe when the dose was increased, or less severe when the dose was decreased?
+1
0
0
9. Did the patient have a similar reaction to the same or similar drugs in any previous exposure?
+1
0
0
10. Was the adverse event confirmed by any objective evidence?
+1
0
0
TOTAL
The maximal possible score is 13. Naranjo scores of 9 or higher imply a definite association, scores of 5 to 8 a probable association, scores of 1 to 4 a possible association, and scores of 0 make an association doubtful.
Table 2
Drugs associated with uveitis (modified from Cunningham et al.
[2])
Systemic
Topical
Intraocular
Vaccines
TNF-α antagonistsa
Prostaglandin analogsa
Antibioticsa
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)a,c
Rifabutina
Metipranolola
Cidofovira
Influenzaa
Bisphosphonatesa
Corticosteroidsa
Urokinasea
Hepatitis Ba
Sulfonamidesa
Cholinomimeticsa
Plasmin/microplasmina
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)b
Diethylcarbamazinea
Brimonidinea
Antibodies (ranibizumab, bevacizumab, etc.)a
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DPT)b
Fluoroquinolonesa
Antibioticsa
Triamcinolone acetonidea
Varicellab
Oral contraceptivesb
Betaxololb
Smallpoxb
Topiramateb
Cholinesterase inhibitorsb
Trifluoperazineb
Quinidineb
Ibuprofenb
Reserpineb
Sildenafilb
Clomiphene citrateb
A comprehensive list of drugs reported to be associated with uveitis may be found at http://www.eyedrugregistry.com. aStrong evidence; banecdotal evidence; cuveitis also associated with skin placement of purified protein derivative.
Table 3
Quantitative assessment of causation of drug-induced uveitis using Naranjo algorithm
Route
Drug
Score per Naranjo criterion
Total score
Likelihood of causation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Systemic
Cidofovir
1
2
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
11
Definite
Rifabutin
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
1
0
1
10
Definite
Bisphosphonates
1
2
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
10
Definite
Sulfonamides
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
1
1
10
Definite
TNF-α inhibitors
1
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
7
Probable
Fluoroquinolones
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
6
Probable
DEC
1
2
1
0
−1
1
0
0
0
1
5
Probable
Topical
Metipranolol
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
1
0
1
10
Definite
Glucocorticosteroids
1
2
1
2
0
1
0
0
1
1
9
Definitea
Brimonidine
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
9
Definite
Prostaglandin analogs
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
9
Definite
Intraocular
Cidofovir
1
2
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
11
Definite
Anti-VEGF agents
1
2
1
2
2
1
0
0
1
1
11
Definite
Triamcinolone acetonide
1
2
1
2
−1
0
0
0
1
1
7
Probable
Vaccines
BCG
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
9
Definite
Influenza
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
7
Probable
MMR
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
7
Probable
Hepatitis B
1
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
6
Probable
Varicella
1
2
1
0
−1
0
0
0
0
1
4
Possible
BCG, bacille Calmette-Guérin; DEC, diethylcarbamazine; MMR, measles, mumps, and rubella; TNF, tumor necrosis factor. aOlder reports, some of which found an association with latent syphilis infection.
Systemic medications
Cidofovir (Naranjo score 11, definite)
Cidofovir is an infrequently administered antiviral medication initially utilized for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with profound immune suppression due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It selectively inhibits viral DNA polymerase, preventing virus replication. Cidofovir can be administered intravenously or directly into the vitreous cavity through an intravitreal injection. The efficacy of intravenous cidofovir for the treatment of previously untreated CMV retinitis in patients with HIV/AIDS has been demonstrated in a multicenter randomized trial and in a dose-ranging study of cidofovir in patients with HIV/AIDS and previously treated relapsing CMV retinitis [5, 6].
Compared to other treatments for CMV retinitis, cidofovir has several advantages, including a long intracellular half-life [7]. However, it is rarely used today due to several important side effects, the most serious of which is potentially irreversible nephrotoxicity. In addition, cidofovir has been shown to induce a non-granulomatous anterior uveitis in 17% to 89% of cases and hypotony in approximately 10% of cases [8‐14]. These side effects occurred more frequently if patients received concomitant protease inhibitors, were previously treated for CMV retinitis, had chronic or recurrent retinitis, or had immune recovery [13]. Cidofovir-associated uveitis is more common following intravitreal administration and typically occurs after multiple injections, with a mean of 4.2 injections in one study [11]. Although nearly all cases of cidofovir-associated uveitis occur in the eyes with a history of active or treated CMV retinitis, there is one report in a patient with non-ocular CMV [15] and a second report of 5 of 14 patients treated with low-dose intravenous cidofovir for polyomavirus-associated nephropathy [16]. The incidence of ocular side effects decreases significantly with concomitant administration of oral probenecid, with one study reporting a decrease from 71% to 18% [8]. Probenecid is believed to inhibit intraocular secretion of cidofovir from the ciliary body, thereby minimizing its intraocular concentration [13]. Previously, the pathogenesis of cidofovir-associated uveitis was hypothesized to be due to a direct reaction with the CMV; however, uveitis has been associated with the use of cidofovir in non-CMV-related viral infections as well [16].
Treatment involves prompt initiation of a topical corticosteroid and a cycloplegic/mydriatic agent. Severe inflammation may require discontinuation of cidofovir [12], but this is not required in most cases. Hypotony is typically only seen in eyes with uveitis and may be associated with choroidal detachment, retinal detachment, macular folds, or visual acuity reduction. In most of the reported cases, hypotony was treated with topical and/or periocular corticosteroids as well as avoidance of additional cidofovir injections when possible [9, 11, 17]. Visually significant hypotony occasionally can persist for an extended period of time [11, 17].
Rifabutin (Naranjo score 10, definite)
Rifabutin is an oral bacteriocidal antibiotic used as prophylaxis against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), typically for immunocompromised patients and particularly those infected by the HIV. It is most commonly associated with anterior uveitis with hypopyon (Figure 1), although intermediate uveitis, panuveitis, and retinal vasculitis have been reported [18, 19].
Figure 1
Slit-lamp photograph of hypopyon uveitis. A 17-year-old Eritrean girl who was on rifabutin for recurrent MAC prophylaxis developed anterior uveitis with a hypopyon. The patient also had retinal vasculitis. The inflammation completely resolved following cessation of rifabutin. Photograph courtesy of H. Nida Sen, MD, MHS (see [18]).
×
Most of our understanding of rifabutin-induced uveitis comes from cases series reported in the early- to mid-1990s [20‐23]. Saran and associates described the clinical features of seven patients with HIV/AIDS who received between 300 to 600 mg of rifabutin daily along with clarithromycin and fluoconazole, and the majority of patients also received concomitant ethambutol. In this report, five patients presented with acute hypopyon uveitis 51 to 393 days (median 79 days) after starting the medications. All patients eventually developed bilateral anterior uveitis. Vision recovered to 20/30 in all patients within 3 weeks of starting topical corticosteroid treatment alone, although three of the five patients required rifabutin dose reduction and/or discontinuation. In a larger group of 24 patients on 600 mg of rifabutin per day along with clarithromycin and ethambutol, Shafran and colleagues described the development of ocular irritation and redness in 75% and 54% of patients, respectively, after a median of 42 days of rifabutin use. Photophobia occurred in 33% of patients, and a hypopyon developed in 29% of patients [24]. In the same study, patients who were on a lower dose of rifabutin (300 mg/day) seldom developed uveitis, and when it occurred, it took at least 7 months of medication use for the uveitis to develop. Skinner and Blaschke subsequently confirmed that drug-related uveitis was unusual at the recommended dose of 300 mg/day [25].
Risk factors for the development of rifabutin-associated uveitis include dosage and duration of rifabutin therapy, low body weight, and use of concomitant medications, including clarithromycin and ritonavir [21]. In a multivariate analysis of patients taking 600 mg of rifabutin daily, Shafran and colleagues found that uveitis occurred in 64% of patients weighing less than 55 kg, in 45% of patients 55 to 65 kg, and in only 14% of patients weighing over 65 kg [24]. Several medications, such as clarithromycin and ritonavir, may exacerbate rifabutin-related side effects such as uveitis through inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P-450 [26‐28]. Although systemic azoles, such as fluoconazole, also inhibit cytochrome P-450, Shafran and associates found no evidence that concurrent use of systemic azoles increased the risk of uveitis [21].
Rifabutin-induced uveitis likely results from direct rifabutin toxicity. The association between rifabutin and uveitis is supported by an association with dosage and with the duration of use, as well as bilateral involvement, limited rechallenge data [29], and reversibility with drug discontinuation.
Bisphosphonates (Naranjo score 10, definite)
Bisphosphonates are primarily used to treat osteoporosis and to prevent fractures due to malignant bone disease. While they are generally well tolerated [30], several medications in this class have been associated with uveitis. Moreover, bisphosphonates have been noted to cause scleritis/episcleritis in some patients [31].
Intravenous pamidronate sodium is the bisphosphonate most frequently associated with ocular side effects, and symptoms typically develop 1 to 6 days after starting treatment [32]. Conjunctivitis appears to be the most common ocular manifestation, followed by anterior uveitis and scleritis/episcleritis [31‐37]. Among 23 cases reported by the Ciba-Geigy Central Epidemiology and Drug Safety Center in 1993, 13 (57%) had non-specific conjunctivitis, 7 (30%) had anterior uveitis (most commonly bilateral), and 3 (13%) had unilateral episcleritis or scleritis [32]. The daily dose of pamidronate in this study ranged from 30 to 120 mg. A positive rechallenge reaction was noted in 11/15 patients (73%) in whom it was tested. Most patients with non-specific conjunctivitis recovered spontaneously within several days. In patients with anterior uveitis, the severity of inflammation ranged from minimal, resolving spontaneously within 24 h, to severe and required topical corticosteroids with or without a cycloplegic agent and, occasionally, hospitalization. Episcleritis or scleritis was noted in three patients between 1 and 6 days following intravenous pamidronate disodium treatment. All patients recovered fully with treatment. The patient with episcleritis was treated with oral indomethacin, and the patient with posterior scleritis was treated with oral corticosteroids. The treatment for the patient with anterior scleritis was not elaborated upon beyond ‘hospitalization.’
More recently, Fraunfelder and Fraunfelder reported 17 cases of unilateral scleritis associated with intravenous pamidronate with doses ranging from 30 to 60 mg daily [38]. All of these cases required the discontinuation of pamidronate therapy for full resolution of the inflammation. Positive rechallenge data were provided for six of these cases.
Although less common, similar side effects have been observed with the oral agents alendronate [39‐41], risedronate [42, 43], etidronate [44], and intravenous zoledronic acid [45‐47]. Although rechallenge data are not available, alendronate has been associated with scleritis and acute non-granulomatous anterior uveitis [40‐42]. Only one case of risedronate-associated anterior uveitis has been reported [42].
Theories regarding the mechanism of bisphosphonate-induced uveitis include immunologic or toxic reactions caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines [31, 48]. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates are known to cause a systemic acute phase reaction, including the development of transient influenza-like symptoms, in approximately 30% of patients following the first intravenous infusion [49]. It should be noted, however, that inflammatory reactions, including anterior uveitis, can occur following administration of non-nitrogen, halogen-containing bisphosphonates, such as clodronate [50]. Patients receiving bisphosphonates may also develop leukopenia as well as elevation of C-reactive protein, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, all of which may contribute to the development of uveitis.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the ocular inflammation. The conjunctivitis is typically self-limiting, although artificial tears and/or topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide symptomatic relief. More substantial inflammation may require topical or systemic corticosteroid therapy. Either a change of drug to a non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate or cessation of bisphosphonates altogether should be considered in some cases of anterior uveitis and in nearly all cases of scleritis [31, 47, 50].
Sulfonamides (Naranjo score 10, definite)
Sulfonamides are antibiotics used to treat a number of common infections, including urinary tract infections and toxoplasmosis. Newer sulfonamides are used as anticonvulsants, diuretics, and as dermatologic agents. Several reports have linked sulfonamide use with a mild non-granulomatous anterior uveitis [51, 52].
The largest case series of sulfonamide-associated uveitis was reported by Tilden and associates in 1991 [51]. Using the data on 12 patients obtained from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, the US Food and Drug Administration, and two additional case reports, they described 14 patients who developed non-granulomatous anterior uveitis. Six (43%) of the patients had bilateral involvement, and most developed symptoms within a week of drug initiation. Patients rechallenged with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, a common sulfonamide, developed recurrent inflammation within 24 h. Five patients also had evidence of other sulfonamide-induced side effects such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), erythema multiforme, stomatitis, glossitis, vesicular rash, or abnormal liver function.
Often associated with sulfanomide use, SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis are acute, severe, self-limited but potentially life-threatening drug reactions which may present with dermatologic findings such as widespread mucosal erosions with numerous erythematous macules and, eventually, epithelial detachment. Common ophthalmic manifestations of SJS include lid, conjunctival, and corneal inflammation and scarring, which may result in severe visual loss [53]. Uveitis is uncommon in SJS, but has been reported [54].
Non-sulfonamide medications, particularly trimethoprim, may play an under-appreciated role in some cases of presumed sulfonamide-induced uveitis. Notably, most of the reported cases involve trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This includes at least 12 of the 14 patients in the original case series by Tilden and colleagues [51]. Several case reports have also implicated trimethoprim alone, including two with positive rechallenge data as described below [55‐57].
Pathak and Power described a 41-year-old woman who developed bilateral non-granulomatous anterior uveitis 2 days after receiving 200 mg of trimethoprim twice daily. Her work-up was unremarkable, and her inflammation promptly resolved with topical therapy and drug discontinuation, only to recur 45 min following rechallenge with 200 mg of trimethoprim [55]. On two separate occasions, a 38-year-old woman developed flu-like symptoms as well as bilateral non-granulomatous anterior uveitis within days of starting trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [56]. She subsequently developed bilateral non-granulomatous anterior uveitis within a day of starting trimethoprim alone. All episodes resolved promptly with topical corticosteroid therapy [56].
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a proinflammatory cytokine strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Inhibition of TNF-α is an effective therapy for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. These agents have been used to treat ocular inflammation associated with these diseases as well as for the off label to treat both uveitis and scleritis [2, 3, 58‐65]. The TNF-α inhibitors most commonly used for uveitis are infliximab, adalimumab, and less commonly etanercept. Infliximab is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody administered as an intravenous infusion. Adalimumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody administered subcutaneously. In contrast, etanercept is a genetically engineered soluble TNF receptor conjugated to the Fc region of human IgG immunoglobulin administered as a subcutaneous injection.
Anti-TNF therapies have been studied extensively since their introduction and have demonstrated generally acceptable safety profiles given the severity of the disorders they are intended to treat. Autoimmune reactions, specifically a lupus-like syndrome as well as autoimmune hepatitis, have been described with these agents. A recent report reviewed over 800 cases of new-onset autoimmune diseases occurring after the use of these medications to treat a range of diseases, including systemic disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, organ-specific processes such as interstitial lung disease, and uveitis [66]. Most cases appeared within 1 to 12 months of starting therapy, and the large majority of cases completely resolved after discontinuing the medication. Of the cases reviewed, 87 involved paradoxical new intraocular inflammation after starting the medication. Even more striking, another subset of patients who developed intraocular inflammation was being treated for diseases not commonly associated with uveitis. The authors specifically described onset of intraocular inflammation after starting anti-TNF agents as one with a relatively poor outcome.
More recently, additional anecdotal reports and meta-analyses have implicated all three agents, particularly etanercept, as a cause of uveitis [66‐75]. In 2007, Lim and colleagues reviewed all cases of uveitis associated with etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab reported to national databases between 1998 and 2006, and excluded patients with underlying disease likely to be associated with uveitis [76]. In total, they found 59 cases thought to have drug-induced uveitis: 43 with etanercept, 14 with infliximab, and 2 with adalimumab. Etanercept was significantly more likely to be associated with uveitis than either infliximab (odds ratio 5.375) or adalimumab (odds ratio 8.6). There were also dechallenge/rechallenge data for a limited number of patients within the etanercept group, which strengthened the association of the drug with uveitis causation [76].
The anti-TNF agents, particularly etanercept, have also been noted to induce paradoxical, biopsy-proven sarcoidosis (or sarcoid-like granulomatosis), including ocular sarcoidosis (Figure 2) [2, 77‐81]. Affected patients had varied presentations. The onset of uveitis ranged from 3 weeks to 6 years and included anterior and/or posterior ocular inflammation as well as periphlebitis or chorioretinitis. Most patients recovered spontaneously once the offending agent was discontinued, but some required systemic corticosteroids.
Figure 2
Slit-lamp (left) and fundus (right) photographs of a patient with etanercept-induced sarcoid-like uveitis. Showing keratic precipitates and mild vitreous inflammation with peripheral snowball vitreous opacities and patchy vasculitis. Photographs courtesy of Alex Fonollosa, MD (see [77]).
×
The cause of paradoxical inflammation induced by anti-TNF agents is not clear. The inverse relationship between TNF-α and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon may promote immune cell activation, autoantibody formation, and immune complex deposition, eventually leading to the development of autoimmune disease [2, 82]. It has also been suggested that TNF-α inhibition may promote infection by organisms associated with non-caseating granuloma formation [2]. The reason for the difference between the various TNF inhibitors and risk of developing uveitis is unknown, but it may reflect a differential alteration of the cytokine milieu and/or differential effectiveness in treating intraocular inflammation [2].
Oral fluoroquinolones (Naranjo score 6, probable)
Uveitis associated with systemic fluoroquinolone therapy was first described in 2004 [83]. Since that time, at least 40 cases have been described, ranging from isolated case reports to a spontaneous large case series identified from reporting databases [70, 83‐87]. Of note, identical cases have been reported with no identified exposure to systemic fluoroquinolone therapy, suggesting that other factors might contribute [88]. Most of the commonly prescribed oral fluoroquinolones have been implicated, including ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, and norfloxacin. However, the most commonly implicated agent is moxifloxacin. In all cases, the medication was given at the standard oral dose. Uveitis developed a median of 13 days (range 0 to 20 days) after drug initiation. Patients presented with bilateral ocular pain and visual impairment. Examination often revealed fine, pigmented keratic precipitates with prominent pigment in the anterior chamber with only minimal non-pigmented cell (Figure 3). Another common feature included diffuse iris transillumination defects with atonic pupils (Figures 3 and 4). Up to 50% of patients developed ocular hypertension or glaucoma requiring intraocular pressure-lowering therapy - presumably related to drug-induced pigment dispersion [86, 87].
Figure 3
Slit-lamp photographs of the anterior chamber in a patient with moxifloxacin-associated uveitis. The patient presented with eye pain and redness 1 week following systemic moxifloxacin treatment. Examination revealed mixed pigment particles and inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber (top) and diffuse iris atrophy visualized on transillumination (bottom). Photographs courtesy of Sarkis H. Soukiasian, MD.
Figure 4
Anterior uveitis secondary to systemic moxifloxacin. Slit-lamp photographs of a patient who presented with eye redness and severe photophobia 3 weeks following oral moxifloxacin treatment for ear infection. Examination revealed mixed pigment particles and inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, a dilated pupil with scattered pigment particles on the surface of the iris (top), and diffuse iris atrophy visualized on transillumination (bottom). Photographs courtesy of Ilknur Tugal-Tutkun, MD (see [88]).
×
×
The pathophysiology of fluoroquinolone-associated uveitis is largely unknown but may involve phototoxicity, autoimmune predisposition, and/or concurrent viral infection. Phototoxicity has been proposed as a mechanism but is unlikely, given the restriction of the findings to the eyes as opposed to other sun-exposed areas [85]. There also may be a predisposition to autoimmune disorders. Of the 40 patients described by Hinkle and associates, 27 (69%) were women, the median age was 54 years, and HLA-B27 and HLA-B51 haplotypes were identified in 20% and 40% of tested individuals, respectively [84]. Concurrent viral infection is another possibility but is unlikely to adequately account for the findings [84‐86]. A single case report described a concave iris configuration leading to a potential mechanical explanation; however, this was not described in other cases [86]. Interestingly, this constellation of signs and symptoms has not been described with topical or intracameral injection of fluoroquinolones.
Diethylacarbamazine (Naranjo score 5, probable)
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is a powerful microfilaricide used to treat onchocerciasis. It was widely used prior to the introduction of ivermectin. Diethylcarbamazine causes death of the microfilaria, including those that are present within the eye, leading to an intense inflammatory reaction known as the Mazzotti reaction [89, 90]. Anterior uveitis, transient retinal pigment epithelial lesions, chorioretinitis, and optic nerve inflammation have been described [91‐93]. In a double-masked, placebo-controlled prospective trial, Taylor and associates showed ivermectin and DEC to have similar effectiveness at reducing intraocular microfilariae, with ivermectin inducing none of the ocular inflammatory side effects [94]. Thus, the Mazzotti reaction alone is not enough to explain the uveitis associated with DEC. With limited data on rechallenge or dosing, DEC may be a possible cause of drug-induced uveitis.
Topical medications
Metipranolol (Naranjo score 10, definite)
Metipranolol is a non-selective topical beta-blocker used for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Shortly after its introduction, reports of associated granulomatous anterior uveitis began to appear [95‐102]. Akingbehin and Villada presented the findings of 56 episodes of granulomatous anterior uveitis in 26 eyes of 15 patients [96]. Nearly all cases of uveitis occurred with the 0.6% dose compared to the 0.3% dose, leading to the withdrawal of the 0.6% dose from the market in 1990. Most cases developed after 7 to 31 months of therapy and patients typically presented with cell, flare, and granulomatous keratic precipitates, and 2% developed posterior synechiae. Over 50% of eyes also developed ocular hypertension. With discontinuation of metipranolol and initiation of topical corticosteroids, patients generally did quite well, with resolution of the inflammation after 3 to 5 weeks. In addition to a large number of case reports, positive rechallenge data confirm the association between metipranolol and the inflammation [103]. Initial hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of metipranolol-induced uveitis centered around sterilization methods (i.e., gamma irradiation) used for multidose bottles; however, adverse reactions have been seen with single-dose bottles as well as with other sterilization methods [98, 100].
Glucocorticosteroids (Naranjo score 9, definite)
There are several reports of uveitis developing or worsening in otherwise non-inflamed eyes during or immediately following withdrawal of topical corticosteroids [104‐106]. Although earlier reports mainly indicated dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1%, corticosteroid withdrawal-associated uveitis has been described with different topical corticosteroid formulations, including prednisolone acetate 1% and dexamethasone 0.1% [104, 105, 107].
The first report was published in 1970 [105]. In a prospective study of 2,000 patients designed to examine the effect of topical dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% on intraocular pressure, the authors described two patients with no prior history of uveitis who developed anterior uveitis 2 to 5 days after discontinuing the medication [105]. An extensive uveitis work-up was unremarkable. The uveitis responded to intensive treatment with the same agent along with a cycloplegic/mydriatic medication. The largest report is a case series of 16 patients without a prior history of uveitis and without a history of predisposing systemic conditions, who developed anterior uveitis associated with the withdrawal of topical corticosteroids [104]. Fifteen of the cases (94%) were associated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1%, with the remaining case associated with triamcinolone acetonide 0.5% ointment. Inflammation developed in two of the patients while still using dexamethasone. Notably, the incidence of uveitis in black patients (14/261, 5.4%) was significantly higher than the incidence in white patients (2/360, 0.5%). The significance of this is unclear and has not been confirmed in subsequent studies. An extensive uveitis work-up was unrevealing. In all cases, the inflammation resolved quickly with a topical cycloplegic/mydriatic agent alone. One patient was rechallenged with prednisolone acetate 1% for 10 days and developed recurrent uveitis 2 days after discontinuing the medication. Importantly, the medication vehicles alone failed to induce recurrent inflammation.
While the mechanism for corticosteroid-induced uveitis is unknown, its occurrence in patients with a positive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) serology has been noted [106]. Of note, there have been no new reports of corticosteroid-induced uveitis since 1979.
Brimonidine (Naranjo score 9, definite)
Brimonidine tartrate is a selective alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist that is used for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. In general, brimonidine is safe and well tolerated; however, there have been a small number of case reports describing granulomatous anterior uveitis with elevated intraocular pressure associated with chronic use [108‐114]. In the majority of cases, patients were over the age of 75 and had used topical brimonidine for 11 months or longer. This is in contrast to brimonidine-induced allergic conjunctivitis, which typically occurs after 6 to 9 months of use. Byles and colleagues reported four patients who developed granulomatous anterior uveitis after using brimonidine for a mean of 14 months [108]. The inflammation only affected the treated and not the fellow eye, and resolved within a few weeks following drug discontinuation with or without a course of topical corticosteroids. Of note, all four patients developed recurrent inflammation within 3 weeks of restarting the medication.
Stopping the drug is the most effective treatment and usually results in rapid resolution of the inflammation. The use of topical corticosteroid therapy and a cycloplegic/mydriatic agent may be needed in some cases.
Prostaglandin analogs (Naranjo score 9, definite)
The topical prostaglandin analogs latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost lower intraocular pressure primarily by increasing uveoscleral outflow [115‐117]. These medications have been associated with several side effects, including conjunctival hyperemia, eyelash growth, iris and periocular skin pigmentation, iris cyst formation, cystoid macular edema, reactivation of herpes simplex keratitis, and anterior uveitis [118, 119].
While high levels of endogenous prostaglandins are known to cause intraocular inflammation and induce breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier, the topical prostaglandin analogs were specifically designed to minimize potential prostaglandin-related side effects [120, 121]. Despite this, several studies have described the development of anterior uveitis in a small percentage of patients. One study found the development of low-grade acute anterior uveitis in 8 of 163 eyes treated with latanoprost [122]. None of the patients had a previous history of uveitis or a medical condition potentially associated with uveitis. The inflammation developed after several months of latanoprost use in six of the eight eyes and after 1 day in both eyes of one patient [122]. The uveitis resolved promptly following discontinuation of the medication, although some eyes were also treated with a topical corticosteroid. In two of the three eyes tested, the inflammation recurred with rechallenge. Fechtner and associates presented positive dechallenge and rechallenge data of four patients with latanoprost-associated uveitis [123].
The mechanism by which prostaglandin analogs might cause anterior uveitis may involve the downstream stimulation of proinflammatory eicosanoids [123]. Moreover, prostaglandin analogs can increase IL-1 and IL-6 levels in the tears, and potentially in the aqueous humor, of treated patients [124].
Interestingly, when used in eyes with active endogenous anterior uveitis and ocular hypertension/glaucoma, topical prostaglandins do not appear to cause increased inflammation or cystoid macular edema when compared to other intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering agents [125]. This may be in part due to the common use of concomitant topical, regional, or systemic corticosteroids in these patients that may blunt or mask the pro-inflammatory effect of the prostaglandin analogs.
Intraocular medications
Cidofovir (Naranjo score 11, definite)
In addition to systemic administration, intraocular injection of cidofovir has been associated with secondary inflammation. In phase I/II clinical trials, intravitreal cidofovir without concurrent systemic administration was associated with hypotony and a mild uveitis that was easily controlled with topical medications [9, 126]. Other studies found a 26% incidence of mild to moderate non-granulomatous uveitis after intravitreal injection of cidofovir [8, 17]. Similar to uveitis seen with systemic administration of cidofovir, the incidence of uveitis was substantially lower in patients who used concurrent systemic probenecid plus a topical corticosteroid [8, 17]. In most cases, the hypotony was mild, with an IOP reduction from a mean baseline IOP of 9.3 to 7.4 mmHg 2 weeks after a 20-μg intravitreal injection [126]. In one study, only 1 out of 24 eyes developed clinically significant hypotony (with an IOP of 1 mmHg) that was associated with choroidal detachment and decreased visual acuity [126]. This patient improved spontaneously.
Anti-VEGF agents (Naranjo score 11, definite)
Anti-VEGF agents are monoclonal antibodies (ranibizumab, bevacizumab), RNA aptamers (pegaptanib), or VEGF decoy receptors (afilbercept) that bind to and effectively inhibit the activity of VEGF. These agents are used for the treatment of a number of retinal disorders, including exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema, neovascular glaucoma, and macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) [127‐143]. Despite an otherwise relatively strong safety profile in several large, multicenter studies, there have been several reports of uveitis associated with intraocular injection of these medications [130, 144‐153].
In 2004, pegaptanib sodium was the first anti-VEGF agent approved for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration. It is an RNA-based aptamer that binds to VEGF-165 [154]. In a multicenter trial of 890 eyes treated with varying doses of pegaptanib, 14% of eyes developed some degree of anterior chamber inflammation compared to only 6% of eyes treated with a sham injection (p = 0.001) [154]. The authors attributed this relatively high incidence in both groups to the injection procedure and/or preparation. A follow-up study of 147 patients treated with doses up to 3 mg (ten times higher than the approved dose) reported no cases of ‘clinically relevant’ ocular inflammation [155].
Ranibizumab has been studied more extensively than bevacizumab and afilbercept, with substantial data available regarding its safety profile. In the phase III ANCHOR and MARINA studies, severe inflammation (3+ or greater) occurred 2.9% and 2.1% of treated eyes, respectively, compared to 0% of control eyes, and 7.9% of treated eyes in the ANCHOR study developed some post-injection inflammation [128, 133]. More recently, the CRUISE, BRAVO, PIER, and CATT studies reported ocular inflammation in 1% to 1.5% of treated eyes at some point during the study period [129, 131, 133, 134, 140, 156]. However, in the BRAVO and CRUISE trials, inflammation occurred less frequently in ranibizumab-treated eyes than in sham-treated eyes [131, 134]. The phase I/II FOCUS study, a study of ranibizumab plus PDT vs. PDT alone, reported a relatively high incidence of severe uveitis in 12.4% of eyes treated with ranibizumab plus PDT compared to 0% of patients who received PDT alone [157, 158]. The authors attributed this difference to the formulation of ranibizumab used (lyophilized in the FOCUS study versus the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and commercially available liquid formulation) as well as the temporal relationship between ranibizumab injection and PDT treatment.
Bevacizumab appears to have a more variable rate of drug-associated inflammation. In a retrospective study of 2,000 injections (1,275 bevacizumab and 725 ranibizumab), Ladas and associates reported 38 instances of intraocular inflammation. This constituted 6% of treated eyes and 1.9% of injections [147]. Most of the cases (30) were mild cases of anterior uveitis that presented within a few days after the injection and were easily controlled with topical corticosteroids. Eight cases (constituting 1.3% of treated eyes and 0.4% of injections) presented within 1 to 3 weeks with moderate to severe inflammation. The inflammation in these cases was also easily controlled with a short course of topical and systemic corticosteroids. Only one eye experienced recurrent inflammation with each of three subsequent injections. More recently, the recent CATT study was a head-to-head comparison between ranibizumab and bevacizumab. The reported rates of inflammation in treated eyes were low at 0.3% for ranibizumab and 0.5% for bevacizumab [129, 130]. Similarly, in a large, retrospective trial of 1,173 eyes treated with bevacizumab over 12 months, only 4 eyes (0.3% of treated eyes, 0.09% of injections) developed severe uveitis [159]. All of these cases were managed with topical corticosteroids.
While most cases of uveitis following anti-VEGF injections are mild and transient, sporadic case series have described a severe inflammatory response, more commonly with bevacizumab compared to ranibizumab [146, 149, 160‐162]. Sato and associates reported a series of five eyes that developed severe uveitis presenting as a toxic anterior segment syndrome following injection with bevacizumab all from the same lot [149]. Four of the five eyes had previously received intraocular bevacizumab without developing uveitis. The authors proposed that these cases were likely due to a toxic byproduct present in that lot of injections. In another series, Kay and colleagues described seven eyes of six patients that developed non-infectious uveitis from a cohort of 978 consecutive bevacizumab injections [161]. Of note, 338 ranibizumab injections were performed over the same time frame with no associated inflammation. Within 24 h, all affected eyes developed signs and symptoms typical of anterior uveitis that rapidly improved with topical corticosteroid treatment. All eyes received bevacizumab from separate lots. Three eyes received subsequent injections and did not develop recurrent uveitis. Anterior chamber aspirate from one affected eye revealed evidence for foreign particulate matter, which the authors speculated might have been causally related.
Larger series appear to reflect the data from large trials, where special formulations (i.e., distinct from those commercially available) of the medications may be used. An internet-based survey of doctor-reported adverse events noted mild uveitis in 0.14% of eyes receiving bevacizumab injections [153]. In a retrospective review of 1,278 injections of bevacizumab, Wickremasinghe and associates reported that 14 cases (1.1%) developed acute inflammation, but that study excluded those suspicious for endophthalmitis [163]. Most eyes had received prior injections (mean 2.7) and presented within 1 to 3 days with reduced vision and mild discomfort. Inflammation was mild (1 to 2+) in most cases, with equal inflammation present in both the anterior chamber and vitreous. All eyes responded well to intensive topical corticosteroid therapy. Shah and associates reported 16 cases of culture-negative endophthalmitis among 27,736 ranibizumab or bevacizumab injections, with no difference in incidence between the two medications [164]. Day and colleagues identified 6,154 patients receiving 40,903 anti-VEGF injections in the Medicare claims database and evaluated them for post-injection adverse outcomes compared to disease-matched controls [165]. At 2 years, uveitis was significantly more common in the anti-VEGF group (0.73% vs. 0.37%, p < 0.01). The incidence of uveitis per injection was 0.11% in their series.
Aflibercept is a soluble decoy receptor fusion protein approved for the treatment of exudative AMD and macular edema associated with RVO. Early experience suggested that aflibercept may be less frequently associated with medication-related uveitis compared to ranibizumab or bevacizumab, affecting 0.6% of patients or fewer in the CLEAR-IT 2 and DA VINCI studies [137, 139], with the COPERNICUS and EXCITE studies reporting zero cases [138, 166].
Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is a crystallized corticosteroid that can be injected into the eye. It is used to treat several posterior segment diseases, including non-infectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis, as well as various forms of macular edema [167‐169]. Paradoxically, there have been reports of severe inflammation following intravitreal injection of TA [152, 167, 168, 170‐180], which is often called non-infectious or sterile endophthalmitis. Patients may present with reduced vision with little or no conjunctival injection or pain, but there may be substantial anterior chamber cell involvement, often with a hypopyon. Patients may also have moderate to significant vitritis. The incidence of this presumed inflammatory response is variable in the literature, occurring in 0.5% to 9.7% of injections [170, 172‐175, 178]. In one study of 922 intravitreal (IV) TA injections [171], the authors reported presumed non-infectious endophthalmitis in eight eyes (0.87%). Patients presented within 1 to 7 days of the injection with poor visual acuity and hypopyon. Treatment varied from systemic antibiotics to vitreous tap and injection of antibiotics to pars plana vitrectomy. None of the vitreous samples were culture positive, and the patients tended to do well, with an average final acuity of 20/75. Infectious endophthalmitis should be suspected in all patients with intraocular inflammation following IVTA, particularly those with worse conjunctival injection or pain, poorer vision, and/or involvement of the vitreous at presentation.
Some investigators have suggested that intraocular inflammation following IVTA may represent a toxic reaction to the drug, the vehicle, or a contaminant [172]. Jonas and colleagues administered 1,135 intravitreal injections of filtered 20 mg TA and observed no cases of non-infectious endophthalmitis [181]. Given the high dose of TA, this argues against a direct toxic effect of drug. Supporting this hypothesis, one retrospective review of 646 injections of 4 mg of TA noted significantly more cases of non-infectious endophthalmitis among patients who received TA with preservative than without [180]. Further support comes from two large studies that used a preservative-free, single-use formulation of IVTA in 457 patients with branch or central retinal vein occlusion. The authors reported no cases of post-injection inflammation [167, 168]. Patients with a previous history of uveitis appear more likely to develop ocular inflammation after injection [182]. However, some authors found that a presumed non-infectious inflammatory reaction can occur even with preservative-free TA [179].
Another distinct entity that can be confused with infectious or non-infectious endophthalmitis is pseudo-endophthalmitis due to the migration of the TA crystals into the anterior chamber, where they settle into a pseudohypopyon (Figure 5) [183]. Pseudo-endophthalmitis occurs less commonly in phakic patients and pseudophakic patients with an intact posterior capsule [170].
Figure 5
Early post-injection endophthalmitis (left) vs. pseudoendophthalmitis (center) following an intraocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Note the fibrinoid aqueous humor of endophthalmitis vs. the granular aqueous humor of pseudoendophthalmitis (right, higher magnification of the center showing granules). Center photograph courtesy of Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, MBA. Reproduced with permission from [183].
Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine used for prophylaxis against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is frequently administered in countries with a high prevalence of infection. Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination is primarily used to prevent childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease, and also has utility in the treatment of bladder cancer. Multiple case reports have implicated both BCG vaccination and intravesical BCG in the development of acute bilateral non-granulomatous or granulomatous anterior uveitis [184‐192]. The inflammation may be associated with loss of iris pigmentation and typically responds within days to weeks to treatment with topical corticosteroids and a cycloplegic/mydriatic agent. Patients may also present with systemic symptoms resembling reactive arthritis [191‐193]. Less commonly, patients may present with bilateral panuveitis [194, 195], chorioretinitis [196], vitiligo [189], and/or optic neuritis [195].
Some authors have argued for an induced abnormal immune response due to molecular mimicry [184, 185]. The authors of a case report of a 13-year-old girl who developed chronic bilateral anterior uveitis following BCG vaccination implicated her HLA-DR4 positivity, noting that HLA-DR4 is highly responsive to M. tuberculosis antigens [184]. A separate report described a 72-year-old woman who developed bilateral granulomatous anterior uveitis following intravesical BCG for bladder carcinoma [185]. The authors noted evidence for a polyclonal autoimmune reaction elicited by BCG as well as amino acid sequence homology between proteins from M. tuberculosis, BCG, and retinal antigens [185]. Of note, the patient was negative for HLA-B27 but positive for HLA-B8 and HLA-B38.
Several cases of uveitis following tuberculin skin testing (purified protein derivative or PPD) have been reported [197]. Reactions have ranged from panuveitis [197] to presentation resembling multifocal choroiditis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease with serous retinal detachment [198]. The delay in onset of uveitis following skin test placement supports an immune-mediated, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, perhaps to resident immune cells previously sensitized to M. tuberculosis
[197].
Measles, mumps, and rubella (Naranjo score 7, probable)
Both anterior uveitis and panuveitis have been reported in association with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in isolated case reports [199, 200]. These reports have been sporadic, with variable severity. In two cases reported by Islam and associates, patients presented with bilateral panuveitis 4 and 6 weeks following MMR vaccination [199]. Both patients were HLA-B27 negative. Sedaghat and colleagues reported a 17-year-old girl who developed bilateral panuveitis associated with dermal vasculitis and arthritis shortly after MMR vaccination [200]. The inflammation may take 12 months or longer to resolve [199] and may require both topical and systemic corticosteroid treatment [199, 200]. The mechanism may involve antigenic mimicry or processes involved in the preparation of the vaccine such as contamination or faulty preservation [199].
Influenza (Naranjo score 7, probable)
The influenza vaccination has been implicated in the development of secondary uveitis in several case reports, including bilateral panuveitis [201‐204], recurrent panuveitis [205], and acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) [206]. Anterior uveitis can be controlled with topical corticosteroids and a cycloplegic/mydriatic agent, whereas posterior involvement may require systemic corticosteroids. Rothova and associates reported reactivation of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) following vaccination for the H1N1 strain of influenza [207].
Hepatitis B (Naranjo score 6, probable)
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is approved by the FDA for the prevention of hepatitis B infection in children and for at-risk populations. A few case reports have implicated HBV vaccination in the development of uveitis, including a single case report of post-vaccination APMPPE [208‐211]. The bulk of our information regarding hepatitis B vaccine-related uveitis comes from a review of 32 cases reported to a national database [211]. In this series, the mean age of patients was 29 years (1 to 57 years), with a predominance of female patients (24 females vs. 8 males). The majority of cases developed within a few days following vaccination and more often after the initial vaccination than subsequent vaccinations, although several patients developed recurrent inflammation with each vaccination. A majority of patients (75%) also reported a flu-like illness. It was hypothesized that this reaction represented either an immune-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction or a reaction to the vaccine carrier meant to potentiate the vaccine's immunogenic activity [211].
Varicella (Naranjo score 4, possible)
Several case reports describe the development of uveitis following varicella vaccination. Various presentations have been described, including isolated anterior uveitis [210], anterior uveitis associated with a vesicular rash [212], keratouveitis with inflammatory glaucoma and Hutchinson sign [213], sclerokeratitis with anterior uveitis (herpes zoster ophthalmicus) [214], and ARN [215]. In general, patients responded to standard treatment regimens, including topical corticosteroids and oral acyclovir. However, the two patients with ARN both required more aggressive treatment, including oral valacyclovir, intraocular ganciclovir or foscarnet, intravenous acyclovir, and eventually vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade due to progressive disease [215]. Uveitis may occur due to reactivation of varicella virus or, alternatively, due to primary infection with the attenuated virus used in the vaccine.
Conclusions
Drug-induced uveitis is well-recognized and observed with a broad range of topical, systemic, and intraocular medications. A detailed drug history should be elicited, therefore, in all patients with otherwise unexplained uveitis. While drug-induced anterior uveitis typically responds to intensive topical corticosteroid and cycloplegic/mydriatic therapy, medications suspected of causing uveitis may need to be decreased or discontinued when the inflammation is either severe or persistent. Formal criteria are available for grading the strength of evidence supporting causation in drug-induced uveitis and should be applied as new agents are studied.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported in part by The Pacific Vision Foundation (ETC) and The San Francisco Retina Foundation (ETC).
Open Access
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
NL drafted the manuscript. SG, RM, and EC provided guidance, and reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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