Risk of Noninfectious Uveitis after Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination in a United States Claims Database

To assess noninfectious uveitis (NIU) risk after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients without a history of uveitis.

A retrospective matched cohort study and self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis using a longitudinal data asset with claims data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from December 11, 2020, through November 30, 2021.

The matched cohort analysis included patients continuously enrolled for 730 days before December 11, 2020, who received a COVID-19 vaccination during the study period. This COVID-19-vaccinated group was matched to a COVID-19-unvaccinated historical cohort enrolled in 2018 and 2019. The SCCS design included individuals from the vaccinated cohort who experienced an NIU event during the study period. Enrollees with a history of uveitis were excluded.

Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models in the matched cohort design. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing NIU incidence in exposed risk periods after vaccination and unexposed control periods within individuals were calculated using conditional Poisson regression models in the SCCS design. Models were adjusted for age, recent receipt of non-COVID-19 vaccinations, corticosteroid or immunosuppressive use, and smoking history. Subgroup analyses were conducted by vaccination type and age group.

Rates of NIU identified with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes.

The matched cohort analysis included 4 611 378 patients, with 2 305 689 per cohort. The adjusted HR comparing NIU incidence in the COVID-19-vaccinated and unvaccinated cohort was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1.10; P = 0.33). The SCCS analysis included 686 patients. The IRR comparing NIU risk after vaccination with risk during control intervals was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.89-1.23; P = 0.57). An increased risk was found in the subgroup aged 5 to 44 years (IRR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.87; P = 0.024).

The matched cohort and SCCS analyses did not detect increased NIU risk after COVID-19 vaccination overall in individuals without history of uveitis, providing reassurance about the vaccine's safety. The finding of increased risk in the youngest subgroup suggests heightened immune responses in younger individuals, warranting further investigation.

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.