Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the frequency, clinical findings and outcomes of occlusive retinal vasculitis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

A retrospective case series.

Results

During the period between January 2000 and December 2021, we identified 24 patients who were diagnosed to have uveitis associated with MS. Among them, four (16.6%) patients presented with bilateral occlusive retinal vasculitis who were diagnosed to have MS prior to presentation. All patients were treated successfully with a combination of systemic corticosteroids combined with mycophenolate mofetil. In addition, scatter laser photocoagulation was applied to the ischemic retina in all eyes.

Conclusions

Early recognition and prompt treatment with systemic immunosuppressive agents and scatter laser photocoagulation prevent complications and improve outcomes in MS patients with occlusive retinal vasculitis.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• mycophenolate mofetil
• retinal vasculitis
• uveitis
• vitreous hemorrhage

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ms Crisalis Longanilla-Bautista for secretarial assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by King Saud University through Vice Deanship of Research Chair, Dr Nasser Al Rashid Research Chair in Ophthalmology (Abu El-Asrar MA).