Ankylosing Spondylitis Presented as Unilateral Optic Neuritis in a Young Woman

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of ankylosing spondylitis that initially presented as unilateral optic neuritis.

Methods: Case report.

Design: Clinical findings and treatment are presented. A 31-year-old woman presented with unilateral optic neuritis in her right eye. Her symptom improved following pulse steroid therapy. Unfortunately, she developed severe pain and weakness in her bilateral knee and ankle joints during follow-up. Further investigation revealed a positive finding of HLA-B27 and bilateral sacroiliitis. Ankylosing spondylitis was confirmed and was treated with Salazine and Mobic.

Conclusions: Optic neuritis is rarely the first symptom of AS. Careful surveying and prompt treatment is necessary.

Keywords::

• ankylosing spondylitis
• HLA-B27
• optic neuritis
• sacroiliitis
• uveitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This case report was supported by the Research & Development Fund of Tri-Service General Hospital.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.