TITLE:
Idiopathic Unilateral Frosted Branch Angiitis: A Case Report and Review
AUTHORS:
Sarah Refalo Azzopardi, Catriona Caruana
KEYWORDS:
Frosted Branch Angiitis, Idiopathic Vasculitis, Pre-Retinal Haemorrhage
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.15 No.2,
May
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: Aim: The purpose of this case study is to present the first report of primary frosted branch angiitis in the Maltese islands and to review this rare disease and its aetiology. Background: Frosted Branch Angiitis (FBA) is described as a rare, acute panuveitis with severe vasculitis affecting the entire retina. It can be classified as idiopathic (primary) or associated with ocular and systemic disease (secondary) such as toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus retinitis or leukaemia. Visual prognosis is variable as it depends on the underlying pathology and worsens with complications such as macular oedema, retinal detachment (RD), or optic atrophy. The optimal treatment is, yet, unclear. Case Presentation: This case report describes the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 40-year-old male with unilateral frosted branch angiitis (FBA) in Malta. The patient presented with sudden vision loss, retinal vasculitis, and hemorrhages in the left eye. Following extensive investigations to rule out other causes, a diagnosis of primary idiopathic FBA was made. Treatment with oral prednisolone resulted in improvement in retinal inflammation but limited visual recovery. Conclusion: While corticosteroids remain the first-line treatment, additional immunosuppressive therapies or intravitreal injections may be warranted in severe cases.