Retinal Vascular Abnormalities in Patients with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Objective: To describe the ophthalmology findings in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Methods: Data source and subjects: 7 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary stroke unit with CAA-related hemorrhage, confirmed on magnetic resonance brain imaging gradient echo sequences by 2 independent neuroradiologists. Design: case series. Measurements and data analysis: fundus colored photographs and fundus fluorescein angiography. Results: All patients showed bilateral multiple dot and blot hemorrhages as well as multiple microaneurysms on fundus fluorescein angiography. Conclusion: Microaneurysms and dot and blot hemorrhages funduscopically mirror the histopathology of CAA. This case series is the first to describe retinal vessel changes in CAA and, if confirmed in larger population studies, has the potential to provide insights into the natural history of CAA. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel