Multiple occlusive retinal arteritis in both eyes of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To report multiple occlusive retinal arteritis as a complication of rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
A 67-year-old woman developed superotemporal branch retinal artery occlusion in both eyes, together with arterial sheathing and large cotton wool patches around the optic disc, in the course of rheumatoid arthritis with moderate activity.


METHODS
Fluorescein angiography disclosed delayed filling of the superotemporal retinal artery in the right eye and no filling of the superotemporal artery in the left eye. In addition, segmental absence of filling was found in peripheral branches of the other major retinal arteries in both eyes. After hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intravenous administration of prostaglandin E1 and urokinase for 2 weeks, there was improvement in her vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple occlusive retinal arteritis in rheumatoid arthritis can manifest as retinal artery occlusion. Rheumatoid arthritis should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral retinal artery occlusion.
Matsuo
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama City, Japan.
D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001167:Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D000527:Alprostadil