Uveitis, an under-recognized adverse effect of pamidronate. Case report and literature review

Ophthalmologic adverse effects of bisphosphonate therapy are infrequent and of unclear pathogenesis. The most common has been anterior uveitis, of which 18 cases have been reported. Onset was within 24 to 48 hours after infusion initiation, and both eyes were affected in most patients. The outcome was favorable within a few days after bisphosphonate discontinuation and topical glucocorticoid therapy, although rechallenge was frequently followed by a recurrence. Bisphosphonates are being used successfully in an increasingly broad range of disorders. We report a case of pamidronate-induced anterior uveitis and present a review of the relevant literature.