Clinical profile of retinal vasculitis in a tertiary eye care Centre in South Kerala

Abstract

Objective is to study the clinical profile of retinal vasculitis in a tertiary eye care Centre in South Kerala. All consecutive patients diagnosed with retinal vasculitis in a tertiary eye care Centre over a period of one year were evaluated for ocular and systemic risk factors for developing the disease. Patients more than 10 years of age were included in the study. Patients with diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy were excluded from the study. Data was collected using a pretested proforma. Demographic variables, risk factors, symptoms, clinical signs and visual acuity at presentation were studied. Examination tools used were Log MAR chart, slit lamp, direct & indirect ophthalmoscope. 38 eyes of 28 patients were included in the study. Defective vision and floaters were the main symptoms whereas vitritis and vascular sheathing were the most common signs. Secondary retinal vasculitis (82.2%) was more common than primary retinal vasculitis (17.8%). Also infectious etiology was commoner than autoimmune diseases. Unilateral disease was common in secondary retinal vasculitis. Toxoplasma gondii was the most common agent associated with secondary retinal vasculitis in our hospital.