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Retinal vasculitis in Lyme borreliosis
J L Smith1, K E Winward, D F Nicholson
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101.
Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Retinal vasculitis may be linked to Lyme borreliosis. This study reports three seroreactive patients, suggesting ophthalmologists consider Borrelia burgdorferi infection in unexplained cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Retinal vasculitis is an inflammatory condition affecting blood vessels in the retina.
- Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is a tick-borne illness with diverse systemic manifestations.
- The association between Lyme borreliosis and ocular inflammatory diseases, including retinal vasculitis, requires further investigation.
Observation:
- Three patients with retinal vasculitis were identified as seroreactive for Lyme borreliosis.
- No other apparent cause for the retinal vasculitis was found in these patients.
- One patient showed documented improvement in retinal vasculitis following tetracycline therapy, confirmed by fluorescein angiography.
Findings:
- This is the first published report detailing retinal vasculitis in patients seroreactive for Lyme borreliosis.
- Previous reports include cases of cerebral vasculitis linked to Borrelia burgdorferi.
- The findings suggest a potential association between Borrelia burgdorferi infection and retinal vasculitis.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists should consider testing for Borrelia burgdorferi infection in patients with unexplained retinal vasculitis, including Eales disease.
- Further research is needed to establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between Lyme borreliosis and retinal vasculitis.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme borreliosis may potentially prevent or manage ocular complications.