title: Ocular manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by a heterogenous group of antibodies directed against negatively charged phospholipids including antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and β-2 glycoprotein I (aβ-2-GP1). The major features of this disorder include arterial and venous thrombosis and recurrent fetal loss. The vasculature of the eye is frequently involved and may be the presenting manifestation. A diagnosis of APS should be considered in a young patients without traditional thromboembolic risk factors presenting with ocular vaso-occlusive disease. Management of these patients involves a team-approach with a haematologist/oncologist or rheumatologist to manage the coagulation status of these patients to prevent further systemic vascular occlusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Eye Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Virginia Miraldi
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Utz
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid