Role of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in the management of uveitis

Abstract

Objective: To discuss and illustrate the role of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) in the diagnosis and management of peripheral retinal vasculitis.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Participants: Four consecutive patients in whom UWFFA showed far peripheral vasculitis were included. All patients were seen between May 2011 and May 2012 at the Doheny Eye Institute.

Methods: Conventional fluorescein angiogram (FA) images or areas determined by the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group protocol for imaging the posterior pole and peripheral retina were superimposed on the UWFFA images. The ability to detect the extent and severity of vasculitis and vascular occlusion using both conventional FA and UWFFA was compared by 2 investigators, and any discrepancies were adjudicated by a third investigator.

Results: In none of the cases was the full extent of vasculitis and capillary occlusion visible in the fields normally portrayed by conventional FA. In contrast, capillary nonperfusion and peripheral vasculitis were detectable by UWFFA in all cases. In 2 cases, the posterior extent of vasculitis could have been detected by conventional FA.

Conclusions: Detection and depiction of the extent and severity of peripheral vascular changes are enhanced with UWFFA, aiding in the management of vasculitis in the retinal periphery.