Infectious retinitis associated with JAK inhibitors: the ongoing duality of JAK inhibitors

TL;DR

This paper highlights the risk of vision-threatening eye infections caused by JAK inhibitors, urging prompt specialist care when symptoms arise.

Contribution

The paper adds new clinical cases and emphasizes the need for awareness of retinal complications linked to JAK inhibitors.

Findings

Six cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis linked to JAK inhibitors have been reported.

One case each of toxoplasma retinitis and herpetic scleritis was also associated with JAK inhibitors.

Acute vision loss and floaters are warning signs requiring urgent referral to a retina specialist.

Abstract

To discuss the recent evidence that Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors can cause viral retinitis.

A commentary on the case report in this issue and a review of cases in the literature.

A total of 6 cases have now been reported of cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with Jak inhibitors. Additionally, there was a case of bilateral toxoplasma retinitis and a case of herpetic scleritis.

It is important to be aware of the potential blinding complications associated with JAK inhibitors and if the patient complains of acute vision loss and/or floaters, the patient should be emergently referred to a retina specialist.