Late-onset Etanercept-associated Ocular Sarcoidosis with Profound Vision Loss

Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor-alpha-blocking immunosuppressive agent and carries the risk of paradoxical induction of sarcoidosis. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept who developed etanercept-associated ocular sarcoidosis after 4 years of therapy.

The patient presented to clinic with visual acuity of light perception in the right eye and hand motions in the left eye. Examination revealed optic disc edema in both eyes with serous retinal detachment in the right eye. Work-up revealed an elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level, and computed tomographic scan of the chest revealed innumerable bilateral peribronchial pulmonary nodules with calcifications. A diagnosis of presumed ocular sarcoidosis was made. Etanercept was stopped, and the patient was treated with oral prednisone and subcutaneous methotrexate, with clinical and visual recovery.

Etanercept-associated sarcoidosis can occur at any time after initiating therapy and should be considered in patients on etanercept with ocular inflammation.