Pembrolizumab-related Bilateral Ocular Hypotony, Uveitis, Cataracts, Exudative Retinal, and Choroidal Detachments: An Unusual Success Story

Here, we report the presentation and management of a rare case of sight-threatening bilateral panuveitis with secondary chronic hypotony, subcapsular cataracts, exudative retinal detachments, and choroidal detachments, following initiation of pembrolizumab immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. An 82-year-old white woman presented with painful, blurry vision 3 days after initiation of pembrolizumab immunotherapy. She had developed a marked panuveitis causing secondary hypotony. The fundal view was entirely limited by acutely dense cataracts and small, uveitic pupils unresponsive to topical dilation. Urgent cataract surgery with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) was completed successfully and allowed a fundal examination. This revealed bilateral, symmetrical, inferior exudative retinal detachments, and choroidal detachments secondary to chronic hypotony. After 3 months of observation and cessation of oral steroids, the panuveitis remains quiescent, hypotony persists, and the choroidal and retinal detachments are showing progressive self-resolution. The current best-corrected visual acuity is 6/24 OU. She remains under close monitoring. The immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, has been reported to cause sight-threatening adverse effects. We report a rare case of profound bilateral complications treated successfully with oral and intravitreal steroids. To the authors' knowledge, this has not previously been reported in the literature. Ophthalmologists and oncologists should be aware of the ocular effects of pembrolizumab and be able to identify various complications early. Here, cataract surgery with a steroid implant has been an effective sight-saving intervention. The promising visual outcome makes this an unusual success story.