Bilateral uveitis secondary to bisphosphonate therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight the potential ocular side effects of bisphosphonate therapy and the importance of a proper drug history in patients who present with uveitis.


METHODS
We report 2 cases of bilateral uveitis secondary to bisphosphonate therapy. Both patients were on nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates when they developed symptoms of bilateral anterior uveitis. A uveitis screen done in both cases was normal.


RESULTS
The uveitis in both patients resolved after discontinuation of the bisphosphonates, and there has been no recurrence of symptoms during the duration of the follow-up of 6 and 5 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients receiving bisphosphonates who develop ocular signs and symptoms should be referred promptly to an ophthalmologist. The offending drug should be discontinued once the diagnosis is made, in order to prevent involvement of the contralateral eye and recurrent or chronic ocular inflammation. Patients who are susceptible to the nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates should be switched to the non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates.
Tan
Yar Li
YL
Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
Sims
Joanne
J
Chee
Soon Phaik
SP
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D004164:Diphosphonates; D013256:Steroids