title: Sequential bilateral central retinal artery occlusion as the primary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) has been rarely reported as the primary manifestation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The severe retinal vaso-occlusive diseases usually cause devastating and permanent damage to visual function in spite of vigorous treatment. A 42-year-old Chinese woman presented with abrupt bilateral vision loss. The diagnosis of bilateral CRAO was suggested by the ocular presentation and fluorescein angiography. Laboratory studies showed positive results of antinuclear antibody, anti-Ro/SSA anti-La/SSB; decreased levels of C3, C4 complement and normal levels of antiphospholipides antibodies (APAs). Her visual acuity deteriorated despite systemic steroid and immunosuppressant treatment. Severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy may be an earlier manifestation of SLE without elevated level of APAs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Fang-tian
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: You-xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000209:etiology*