PubMed ID: 39841907
Author(s): Arepalli S, Kopplin L, Tsui E, Brill D, Sobrin L, Papaliodis G, Darwish D, Raiji V, Janardhana P, Emami-Naeini P, Nore L, Parker M, Thomas AS. THE HETEROGENEOUS PRESENTATIONS OF DE NOVO AND RECURRENT OCULAR INFLAMMATION AFTER COVID-19 VACCINATION : A Multicenter Report and a Review of the Literature. Retina. 2025 Jun 1;45(6):1175-1183. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004413. PMID: 39841907.PMID 39841907
Journal: Retina
2025 Jun 1;45(6):1175-1183
Purpose: To describe the patterns of ocular inflammation after coronavirus disease 2019
vaccination, assess underlying commonalities, and understand outcomes.
Methods: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study, conducted between 2020 and 2021.
Patients with no previous uveitis history (de novo) or a known uveitis history (recurrent) who
developed ocular inflammation within 42 days of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination
were identified. Characteristics of the uveitis, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes
were assessed.
Results: Fifty-five eyes of 39 patients with ocular inflammation temporally related to
vaccination were identified. Twenty-two patients (36 eyes) were de novo, while 17 (19 eyes)
were recurrent. Anterior uveitis was most common. HLA-B27 positivity was found in 6
(27.2%) de novo patients, and 5 (29.4%) recurrent patients. Most patients required only
observation, topical, or systemic corticosteroids. Among vaccinated patients, 12.3% of
new uveitis referrals during the study period were related to coronavirus disease 2019
vaccination. Among patients with a history of quiescent uveitis, only 0.85% experienced
a flare after vaccination.
Conclusion: Most inflammation thought to be secondary to coronavirus disease 2019
vaccination achieved quiescence with observation or steroids, and the overall incidence is
low. Anterior uveitis was the most common. HLA-B27 positivity occurred at a higher rate
than reported in the baseline population.
RETINA 45:1175–1183, 2025