Retinal arterial occlusive disease in systemic lupus erythematosus
D. Gold, L. Feiner and P. Henkind
Four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed an unusual
form of occlusive retinal arterial disease. The most prominent clinical
features of this disorder were deposition of yellow-white material in
retinal arterial walls and evidence of multifocal retinal arterial
occlusion. Fluorescein angiographic findings included nonperfusion of the
obstructed arteries and the retinal capillary beds fed by them, and
fluorescein leakage at the sites of involvement of the retinal arteries.
This ocular complication of SLE is presumably a manifestation of the
widespread systemic vascular problems seen in this disorder. It may be more
common in patients with lupus involving the CNS.
