Delayed bilateral fibrinous anterior chamber reaction following autologous bone marrow transplant and cataract surgery

PURPOSE: Immune reconstitution uveitis (IRU) is a well-described phenomenon that by definition occurs in patients with AIDS who undergo highly active antiretroviral therapy resulting in a rebound inflammatory response to the presence of clinically latent cytomegalovirus (CMV). We hypothesize that similar phenomena may exist in other cohorts who undergo transient immunosuppression with rapid white blood cell count recovery. OBSERVATIONS: A patient developed rebound inflammation a few months after cataract surgery with intraocular lens placement characterized by photophobia, significant anterior chamber cell and fibrinous deposits. She had a history of multiple myeloma treated with chemotherapy and a recovery of white blood cell counts following autologous bone marrow transplant. She underwent a thorough work-up for infectious etiologies, as well as the presence of intraocular CMV, which were negative. Her vision and symptoms improved to baseline with the use of topical steroids and at one year her exam remained stable. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: With a negative work-up for infectious etiologies, and the timing and clinical presentation, the patient's inflammation was likely the result of rapid white blood cell count recovery following iatrogenic immunosuppression similar to the mechanism described for IRU.