Chronic Uveitis Following Laser Iridotomy – A Report of 4 Cases

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To describe the onset of uveitis following YAG–Laser iridotomy in a group of four patients. Methods: Retrospective chart review, looking for associated ocular and systemic conditions and characteristics of uveitis and its response to therapy. Results: Four female patients with a mean age of 65.25 years, (range 59–70 years) developed iritis following prophylactic YAG–Laser iridotomy for narrow angles. These patients had a mean follow–up of 17.7 months (range 4–40 months) and active inflammation for a minimum period of 4 months. None of the patients had a history of uveitis prior to the Laser procedure. Three of the four patients had some form of arthritis. Characteristics of uveitis included chronic iritis and poor response to topical steroid therapy requiring immunomodulatory agents in all the patients. Visual acuity was maintained in two of the four patients and uveitis was under control in three of the patients during the most recent visit, and inflammation was active in one patient patient who also had the shortest follow up (4 months). One patient had unexplained, severe photophobia and reduction of vision. One patient subsequently developed scleritis. Conclusions: Chronic iritis that may be resistant to topical steroid therapy can develop following YAG–Laser iridotomy. Immunomodulatory therapy seems to have beneficial effect in these patients in controlling the inflammation. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this rare, but potentially, serious complication of YAG–Laser iridotomy.

Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • anterior segment • autoimmune disease