Choroidal involvement in systemic vasculitis: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Systemic vasculitides involve inflammatory destruction of blood vessels, frequently affecting the eye.
• The choroid, the eye's most vascular layer, is susceptible to involvement in rheumatologic diseases with vascular components.
• Research has focused on retinal vascular issues, neglecting isolated choroidal vascular involvement in systemic vasculitides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the involvement of the choroid in systemic vasculitic diseases.
• To highlight the potential of choroidal manifestations as early diagnostic indicators.
• To emphasize the prognostic implications of choroidal changes in systemic vasculitides.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on systemic vasculitides and ocular involvement.
• Analysis of multimodal imaging techniques for choroidal assessment.
• Synthesis of findings on choroidal thickness, vasculitis, and ischemia in vasculitic diseases.

Main Results:

• Choroidal manifestations like thickness changes, vasculitis, and ischemia can be early signs of systemic vasculitic diseases.
• Multimodal imaging provides crucial insights into choroidal involvement.
• Choroidal involvement has significant diagnostic and prognostic value.

Conclusions:

• Choroidal involvement is a critical, yet understudied, aspect of systemic vasculitides.
• Early detection via multimodal choroidal imaging is essential for timely diagnosis and management.
• Understanding choroidal changes aids in predicting disease outcomes and improving patient prognosis.