Purtscher-Like Retinopathy with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
John R Martinelli MD OD FAAO
Teaching The Fine Art of Patient Management
BMC Ophthalmology recently published a case of a 25-year-old patient who presented with sudden bilateral vision loss, revealing a rare case of simultaneous bilateral Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Exam showed retinal edema, artery narrowing, and scattered hemorrhages. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated diffuse inner retinal hyperreflectivity and cystoid macular edema. Fluorescein angiography revealed delayed arterial filling and large non-perfused areas.
Notably, while antiphospholipid antibodies were normal, anti-dsDNA and anti-SM antibodies were significantly elevated, leading to the SLE diagnosis. This clinical scenario highlights the importance of considering underlying autoimmune conditions in individuals with retinal vascular occlusions. It also underscores the need for prompt labs, systemic investigations, and collaboration with rheumatology to ensure optimal management of ocular manifestations in SLE and many other autoimmune conditions.
-JRM
Go to the article in BMC Ophthalmology:
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