Retinal arterial occlusion in Takayasu′s arteritis

• Main Authors: Kaushik Sushmita, Gupta Amod, Gupta Vishali, Jain Sanjay, Lal Vivek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2005-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Takayasu arteritis; Takayasu retinopathy; Small vessel vasculitis; Retinal arterial occlusion
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2005;volume=53;issue=3;spage=194;epage=196;aulast=Kaushik

Takayasu′s arteritis is an auto-immune disorder of the large and medium-sized arteries, commonly involving the heart and its main vessels. It is now recognised that the inflammatory process of the large arteries affects regions of the walls supplied by the vasa vasorum, suggesting that primary small vessel involvement may contribute to the development of the clinico-pathological features of Takayasu aorto-arteritis. Classical ophthalmic features of the disease result from reduced ocular perfusion, which manifests as hypoxic retinal changes such as microaneurysms, arterio-venous anastomosis and non-perfused areas. Branch retinal artery occlusion has not been previously described in this condition. This case illustrates retinal arterial occlusion as the presenting feature of Takayasu′s arteritis.