Korean J Intern Med.  2001 Sep;16(3):210-213.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting earlier as retinal vaso-occlusion

• Song YH
• Kim CG
• Kim SD
• Kim YY
• Choe JY

Abstract

Retinal vascular lesions are the most common ophthalmologic manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurring in 3% to 29% of cases, generally late in the disease. More rare is the severe vaso-occlusive disease, often termed "retinal vasculitis", which includes central retinal artery occlusion, multifocal arteriolar occlusions, extensive capillary nonperfusion and central venous occlusion. Patients with SLE and raised serum concentrations of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have a higher risk of developing occlusive ocular vascular disease. We report a case in which retinal involvement was an earlier manifestation of SLE in a patient without ACA.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; vaso-occlusive disease; anticardiolipin antibodies

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage
Angiography
Case Report
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Human
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*diagnosis/drug therapy
Ophthalmoscopy
Retinal Vein Occlusion/*diagnosis/drug therapy
Treatment Outcome
Visual Acuity