Rituximab-Associated Retinal Occlusive Vasculopathy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2020 May 18;28(4):622-625. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2019.1611874. Epub 2019 Jul 17.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of retinal occlusive vasculopathy associated with intravitreal administration of rituximab.

Methods: A single case report from a tertiary referral center.

Results: The patient described in the following case report developed a diffuse retinal occlusive vasculopathy following intravitreal rituximab for intraocular lymphoma. He required panretinal photocoagulation, avastin, and cyclophotocoagulation to control his intraocular pressure from ocular ischemia resulting in neovascular glaucoma.

Conclusions: This is the first reported case of occlusive retinal vasculopathy subsequent to intravitreal administration of rituximab. Whereas hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous infusion of rituximab have been noted in the literature, no such reports exist in response to intravitreal therapy.

Keywords: Ischemia; lymphoma; rituximab; vascular; vasculopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Eye Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Retinal Vasculitis / chemically induced*
  • Retinal Vasculitis / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects
  • Retinal Vessels / pathology*
  • Rituximab / adverse effects*
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Visual Acuity*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Rituximab