Idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuro-retinitis. Retinal Vasculitis Study.

PURPOSE: The authors describe the clinical feature of ten patients with a new syndrome characterized by the presence of retinal vasculitis, multiple macroaneurysms, neuro-retinitis, and peripheral capillary nonperfusion.

METHODS

The authors evaluated ten patients identified to have clinical features compatible with the syndrome of idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms and neuroretinits (IRVAN). Clinical examination findings, sequential funds photographs (when available), fluorescein angiograms, systemic investigations, response to therapy, and visual outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seven eyes of four patients sustained a marked decrease in visual acuity of 20/200 or worse. Visual loss was due to a combination of an exudative maculopathy and sequelae of retinal ischemia. Capillary nonperfusion was seen in all ten patients and was severe enough to warrant panretinal laser photocoagulation in six patients. Systemic investigations were uniformly noncontributory. Oral prednisone appears to have little beneficial effects on patients with this disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IRVAN have characteristic retinal features that readily identify this syndrome. An increased awareness of this rare syndrome may help to identify sight-threatening complications at an earlier stage. The authors caution against extensive medical investigations.