PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and fundus fluorescein angiography findings of Takayasu retinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of 11 patients with proven Takayasu arteritis and ischemic retinopathy examined at the Department of Ophthalmology of Rabta hospital (Tunisia). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography. Systemic corticotherapy and immunosuppressive therapy was prescribed in all patients. Green laser photocoagulation was performed in cases with ischemic retinopathy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 64.2 months (range, 8-82 months). The mean age at diagnosis of ischemic retinopathy was 27.9 years (range, 21-39 years). The male-to-female ratio was 0.1. We observed all stages of Takayasu's retinopathy. The best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 4/10 to 10/10. Clinical improvement was notes in 54.5 of all cases. Blindness occurs in only one case with severe ischemic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: The ischemic retinopathy in Takayasu disease is due to a severe hypoperfusion of the retinal artery. A careful and regular clinical and angiographic monitoring must be performed to prevent blindness.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and fundus fluorescein angiography findings of Takayasu retinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of 11 patients with proven Takayasu arteritis and ischemic retinopathy examined at the Department of Ophthalmology of Rabta hospital (Tunisia). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography. Systemic corticotherapy and immunosuppressive therapy was prescribed in all patients. Green laser photocoagulation was performed in cases with ischemic retinopathy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 64.2 months (range, 8-82 months). The mean age at diagnosis of ischemic retinopathy was 27.9 years (range, 21-39 years). The male-to-female ratio was 0.1. We observed all stages of Takayasu's retinopathy. The best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 4/10 to 10/10. Clinical improvement was notes in 54.5 of all cases. Blindness occurs in only one case with severe ischemic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: The ischemic retinopathy in Takayasu disease is due to a severe hypoperfusion of the retinal artery. A careful and regular clinical and angiographic monitoring must be performed to prevent blindness.
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Antonio Greco; Vincenzo Falasca; Giancarlo Altissimi; Mario Tombolini; Rosaria Turchetta; Sara de Fazio; Marco de Vincentiis; Giancarlo Cianfrone Journal: Case Rep Otolaryngol Date: 2017-09-10