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Standardization of Retinal Vasculitis Terminology With Consensus Definitions From a Delphi Panel
James T Rosenbaum1, Sapna Gangaputra2, Marc D de Smet3,4
1Legacy Devers Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon.
JAMA Ophthalmology
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Standardized definitions for retinal vasculitis were established by international experts to improve diagnostic clarity and research consistency. This consensus enhances communication and classification of retinal vascular inflammatory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinal vasculitis is a vision-threatening condition linked to various ocular and systemic diseases.
- Inconsistent terminology and definitions hinder diagnostic accuracy, interdisciplinary communication, and research comparability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop consensus-based, standardized definitions for retinal vasculitis and associated terms.
- To enhance diagnostic clarity and harmonize communication among medical specialists.
Main Methods:
- An international modified Delphi consensus study involving 27 experts in ophthalmology, rheumatology, pathology, and imaging.
- A structured consensus process included a comprehensive literature review and two rounds of Delphi surveys with a predefined consensus threshold of 75% agreement.
Main Results:
- Consensus definitions were established for 8 terms, including retinal vasculitis, vascular leakage, and infectious/noninfectious types.
- All definitions achieved strong consensus (95.2%-100%) after refinement, distinguishing vascular leakage from vasculitis and clarifying inflammatory vs. noninflammatory disorders.
Conclusions:
- This international Delphi consensus provides standardized nomenclature for retinal vasculitis and related entities.
- Adoption of these definitions is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy, imaging interpretation, clinical study consistency, and future research, including AI development.
