Takayasu's retinopathy

Int Ophthalmol. 2011 Dec;31(6):533-7. doi: 10.1007/s10792-011-9500-6. Epub 2012 Jan 1.

Abstract

We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with Takayasu's arteritis who experienced progressive visual loss in her right eye (RE) over several months. Visual acuity was 0.4 in the RE, which showed marked retinal arteriovenous dilation and highly irregular arteriolar calibre. She had no light perception in the left eye, which showed diffuse atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and prepapillary fibrovascular proliferation. Fluorescein angiography revealed delayed and slow retinal and choroidal circulation and areas of peripheral ischemia. A diagnosis of Takayasu's retinopathy was made and the non-perfused areas were treated with laser photocoagulation. Takayasu's disease can result in chronic ocular ischemia. Angiographic examination is particularly important in this context and may provide additional findings which affect staging and treatment of the disease. The role of the ophthalmologist includes laser photocoagulation, monitoring for complications and timely referral for vascular surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / etiology*
  • Ischemia / etiology*
  • Ischemia / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Retinal Diseases / pathology
  • Takayasu Arteritis / complications*
  • Vision Disorders / etiology*