Tattoo-Associated Sarcoid-like Uveitis: A Multicenter Registry Study.

Background

This study aims to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis using a multicenter uveitis registry given the limited existing data.

Design

This is a retrospective study.

Participants

Ten patients (20 eyes) diagnosed with tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis took part in the study.

Methods

The data of patients newly evaluated at participating registry centers from January 2000 to June 2025 were reviewed. Demographic data, treatments, visual acuity, recurrence, glaucoma/intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy, extraocular involvement, and histologic confirmation were extracted when available. Main Outcome Measures: Recurrence, glaucoma/IOP-lowering therapy, extraocular involvement, and change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) from presentation to final follow-up were measured.

Results

Seven (70%) patients were male, and the patients' mean age was 35.1 ± 7.8 years. All patients exhibited bilateral ocular involvement. Histologic confirmation at the tattoo site was documented in five (50%) patients. The mean logMAR visual acuity was 0.12 ± 0.31 at presentation and 0.16 ± 0.42 at the final follow-up (median follow-up: 20 months). All patients received topical corticosteroids; periocular steroids were administered in seven cases (70%), oral systemic steroids in four (40%), adalimumab in two (20%), and cyclosporin in one (10%). Seven cases (70%) developed uveitis recurrence, and eight received glaucoma/IOP-lowering therapy (80%). Extraocular inflammation affected the skin/tattoo in seven patients (70%) and the axillary lymph nodes in one (10%). This finding is definitive; however, this is also true even when the organ/body part is plural (e.g., lungs).

Conclusions

Tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis often follows a chronic course with frequent recurrence and uveitic glaucoma. Thus, close ophthalmic monitoring and coordinated systemic evaluation may be warranted.