Anterior uveitis onset after bnt162b2 vaccination: is this just a coincidence?. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Renisi, Giulia; Lombardi, Andrea; Stanzione, Massimo; Invernizzi, Alessandro; Bandera, Alessandra; Gori, Andrea
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 110(2021)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Uveitis -- BNT162b2 vaccine -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Adverse event; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Uveitis is a vision-threatening inflammation and can be elicited by vaccination. We describe a case of uveitis that occurred after BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination. After treatment with topical steroids, visual acuity was completely restored. Abstract: Background: Uveitis is a vision-threatening inflammation and is considered an ophthalmic emergency. It generally arises as a result of autoimmune conditions, infections, or ocular trauma, but it may also occur as an isolated disorder. Over the past decades, several cases of vaccine-associated uveitis have been described, with the hepatitis B virus vaccine being the leading cause. Clinical case: A case of anterior uveitis in a 23-year-old male, with onset 14 days after the second dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, is reported here. Initial symptoms were pain, photophobia, and red eye. Ocular examination showed pericheratic and conjunctival hyperaemia, posterior synechiae, and anterior chamber cells ± keratic precipitates in the lower quadrants. The posterior segment did not show any alteration, and optical coherence tomography ruled out the presence of cystoid macular oedema. After a 10-day treatment course of topical steroids and cycloplegic eye drops, the ocular inflammatory signs disappeared and visual acuity was completely restored. Even if causality remains presumed, a warning should be given to physicians about the possibility of eye inflammation following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.