Ocular Manifestations in an Italian Cohort of Patients with Takayasu Arteritis

Purpose We describe ophthalmic manifestations, therapy, and outcomes in 16 patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods Takayasu retinopathy was detected in 15 eyes of 9 patients and hypertensive retinopathy in 14 eyes of 7 patients. Results Visual acuity was normal in 7 eyes, 20/40 to 20/200 in 20 eyes, counting fingers in 2 eyes, hand motion in 2 eyes, and no light perception in 1 eye. Glucocorticoids associated with immunosuppressive agents induced a sustained remission in 13 patients. Three relapsing-refractory patients were given the monoclonal antibody tocilizumab, which led to partial and complete response in 1 and 2 patients respectively. Steroid-induced cataracts developed in 4 patients. Restenosis and the consequent recurrence of visual symptoms were detected in 2 of 9 patients who underwent a patency procedure for their stenotic lesions. Conclusions Ocular manifestations were a common feature (37.2%) in our cohort of TA patients and were frequently responsible for severe visual deterioration.