Retinal findings in Takayasu's arteritis

Purpose: To describe unusual as well as typical ocular findings in eight patients with Takayasu's disease. Methods: The ophthalmic manifestations and clinical courses of eight patients with Takayasu's disease were evaluated. Results: All patients had clinical and angiographic evidence of pulseless disease. Typical findings included retinal venous congestion, fluorescein staining, capillary drop-out, microaneurysms and arteriovenous shunting. Unusual findings included cotton wool spots, anterior ischemic neuropathy and retinal emboli. In one case microaneurysms disappeared after carotid bypass surgery. Several patients had profound, transient, visual loss with changes in head posture. Conclusion: Takayasu's disease can cause a variety of retinal manifestations. Less common findings include cotton wool spots, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and retinal emboli.