Bilateral neuroretinitis and anterior uveitis following ipilimumab treatment for metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND: This report presents a novel case of bilateral neuroretinitis and anterior uveitis in a patient receiving ipilimumab treatment for metastatic cutaneous melanoma and summarizes the literature regarding treatment options for patients with ipilimumab-related ocular immune-related adverse events. FINDINGS: The medical chart was reviewed, a literature search was performed, and the results were summarized. For the case presented here, in addition to discontinuation of ipilimumab, combined topical and oral corticosteroid therapy provided visual recovery and resolution of ocular inflammation over 2 months. Review of the literature identified that the majority of reported patients required treatment with oral corticosteroids for control of ocular and periocular inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Ipilimumab-induced ocular inflammation is a rare adverse immune event. This case, in conjunction with the current literature, suggests that in the setting of severe ocular inflammation, treatment with both topical and oral corticosteroids are typically required for management and preservation of good visual function.