Importance of fluorescein angiographic study in evaluating early retinal changes in Takayasu disease

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of fluorescein angiography in studying Takayasu disease. METHODS: We examined 31 eyes in 16 patients with Takayasu disease using indirect ophthalmoscopy, color photography, and fluorescein angiography. Ophthalmoscopic and fluorescein angiographic findings were compared. RESULTS: Fluorescein angiography revealed no additional retinal changes in 10 eyes that had no retinal vein dilatation as seen by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Seven (33%) of 21 eyes that had dilated retinal veins also had additional abnormal findings, such as microaneurysms, arteriovenous shunts, retinal neovascularization, and avascular areas. Some differences in grading the stages of retinopathy were noted with these newly found retinal changes, as compared with the classifications determined by ophthalmoscopy alone. CONCLUSIONS: In Takayasu disease, studying the fundus of patients with fluorescein angiography is particularly important in correctly classifying the stages of retinopathy when the retinal vein appears dilated in ophthalmoscopic observation.