Ischemic Vaso-Occlusive Retinopathy as Initial Presentation in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report
December 2021
in “
Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
”
Studysummary In this case report, a 13-year-old girl with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus experienced rare ischemic vaso-occlusive retinopathy as a first symptom, and early interventions improved her visual acuity and fever but did not fully restore vision.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 13-year-old girl with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) presented with ischemic vaso-occlusive retinopathy, a rare initial manifestation. She had symptoms including papules, crusts, fatigue, weight loss, and abrupt hair loss. Diagnostic tests confirmed SLE with multiple positive antibodies. She exhibited bi-nasal hemianopsia and severe visual impairment. Fundoscopy revealed extensive retinal damage. Treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone, dexamethasone implant, methylprednisolone, and photocoagulation improved her visual acuity and fever, though full visual recovery was not achieved. Early intervention in pSLE-related retinopathy is crucial to prevent vision loss.
