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Gazi Üniv. Tıp Fak. Göz Hastalıkları AD. In this study, 284 eyes of 146 patients with retinal vasculitis are examined based on a systematic method of differential diagnosis. After clinically diagnosing vasculopathies, and secondary vasculitis cases due to another retinal pathology, vasculitis cases are classified as obliterative and inflammatory. A systematic work-up is conducted by the help of these clues. The importance of a complete history taking, systemic and ophthalmic clinical examination, routine and special labaratory tests are stressed.
Behçet's disease is the most common systemic pathology in 45 cases(88 eyes) in this series. Systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondilitis, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, are other systemic diseases. In 92 cases (178 eyes) no systemic etiology is found. These primary vasculitis cases in this series are mainly obliterative who are referred for their neovascular complications. In 4 eyes diagnosed as primary vasculitis, other systemic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis are found in the follow up period. It is concluded that, although there are some typical clinical findings, it is hard to diagnose a case of vasculitis with only fundus appearance and for the differential diagnosis, all possibilities must be judged in a systematic approach with special emphasis on other ocular findings, routine laboratory tests, and regular follow up. Keywords : Behçet's Disease, Connective Tissue Diseases, Retinal Vasculitis, Sarcoidosis, Uveitis