Unusual Cause of Vision Loss in a Case of Lupus

Abstract

Lupus can affect vision in various ways, commonly due to vasculitic retinopathy, and can also result from ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome. Anaemic retinopathy is most likely to occur in patients with severe anaemia or associated with thrombocytopenia. Causes of decreased visual acuity in anaemia include haemorrhages involving the macula, macular oedema, optic disc oedema and ischemic optic neuropathy. We herein describe an unusual cause of loss of vision in a lupus patient associated with severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Ocular examination was suggestive of anaemic retinopathy. Her vision improved with concomitant resolution of retinal findings in 1 month after treatment for lupus with anaemia correction. Hence, even though vision loss in lupus is dreadful, retinal changes in fundus examination should be carefully looked at to rule out anaemic retinopathy, as it is almost always reversible with correction of anaemia unlike lupus retinopathy