Purtscher-like Retinopathy Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Purpose: To report on clinical manifestations of Purtscher-like retinopathy (PLR) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and visual outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 11 patients (21 affected eyes) with PLR in SLE.

Results: All patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids ± immunosuppressive agents. Ocular therapy included intravitreal injections with bevacizumab in 18/21 eyes and posterior sub-Tenon injections with triamcinolone acetonide 13/21 eyes. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was performed in 19/21 eyes and pars plana vitrectomy was required in 5/21 eyes. Visual improvement was found at follow-up of 3 and 6 months (p = 0.05). Poor visual outcome was associated with presence of neovascularizations at onset (p = 0.009), development of vitreous hemorrhage during PRP (p = 0.015), and active status of SLE after onset of PLR (p = 0.029).

Conclusions: PLR might manifest as a devastating complication of SLE. We recommend treating any systemic activity of SLE and starting an early ocular treatment.

• Bevacuzimab
• complication
• purtscher-like retinopathy
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• treatment

Acknowledgements

We thank Anjo Riemens, MD, for her help with statistics.

Declaration of interest

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