Treatment of Takayasu arteritis–related photic and postprandial amaurosis

Abstract

We report the case of a 66-year-old man with Takayasu arteritis who developed photic and postprandial amaurosis occurring at a corticosteroid dose <40 mg per day, despite concurrent methotrexate. The amaurosis resolved with correction of anemia by packed red blood cell transfusion. Marginal retinal perfusion in Takayasu arteritis may precipitate symptomatic hypoxia as a result of eating a meal or exposing the eye to bright lights. Correction of anemia improves oxygen delivery to the hypoxic retina and relieves recurrent amaurosis.