Comparison between optical coherence tomography angiography and fluorescein angiography findings in retinal vasculitis

Abstract Background To describe optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings in patients with retinal vasculitis and to compare them to current fluorescein angiography (FA) findings. Methods This was an observational case series. Nineteen eyes in 10 patients with retinal vasculitis of various etiologies were imaged with FA (TRC-50DX, Topcon) and OCT-A (SD-OCT, Optovue). The images were reviewed and analyzed. Results The mean age was 36 years (range 24–67 years); there were three males and seven females. The primary vessels involved were veins (89%). Fourteen eyes (74%) had active inflammatory disease during the study period, with signs of vascular sheathing and perivascular leakage on FA. Interestingly, in this group, OCT-A was not able to detect clear signs of active inflammation around the affected vessels. Nevertheless, OCT-A was able to detect secondary lesions in fourteen eyes (74%), including some findings not clearly shown on FA. Most of these were within the macular area. OCT-A was particularly effective in cases of capillary dropout, increased foveal avascular zone, telangiectasias, shunts, and areas of neovascularization. Conclusion FA remains an essential complementary exam for detection of retinal vasculitis. However, OCT-A extends FA findings and affords better assessment of secondary complications