[Retinal vasculopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case of lupus vasculitis and a case of non-vasculitis venous occlusion]

New imaging techniques in retinal vasculitis

The term retinal vasculitis (RV) encompasses a heterogeneous group of sight-threatening conditions that are included in the intraocular inflammatory diseases that affect the posterior segment of the eye. Based on the nature of the inflammatory process, RV are classified into predominantly inflammatory or ischaemic (occlusive RV). The diagnosis is clinical and the aetiology can be infectious or non-infectious (immune-mediated). RV can be an isolated ocular syndrome or be associated with a systemic disease, of which they can represent the first manifestation. New retinal imaging techniques such as ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography angiography will help us classify the RV and aid the diagnostic process, which can be challenging and require a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, clinical knowledge of RV is essential for prompt diagnosis and to establish the appropriate treatment.

Retinal vasculopathy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

A retrospective case control study was conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Medical records were reviewed for demographic data, clinical features, laboratory results, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity evaluations, and ophthalmic examinations to investigate the clinical characteristics and significance of retinal vasculopathy (RV) in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The prevalence of RV was approximately 0.66% (35/5298) in SLE patients. A total of 60 eyes were involved. The ocular presentations included decrease of visual acuity (48/60, 80%), visual field loss (7/60, 11.7%), and diplopia (3/60, 5%). Ophthalmic fundoscopic examination revealed cotton-wool spots (30/60, 50%), retinal vascular attenuation (31/60, 51.6%), and hemorrhages (41/60, 68.3%). Retinal angiogram showed that 72.7% (16/22) eyes had vaso-occlusion. The ophthalmic episodes could occur at any stage of SLE duration, with a median of 12 months (0-168 months) following SLE onset. Twenty-one (35%) eyes did not recover, or even worsened, during hospital stay. RV was found to be significantly associated with neuropsychiatric lesions (51.4% vs. 21.3%, p = .005) and hematological disturbance (62.9% vs. 34.3%, p = .005). SLE patients with RV had significantly higher SLE disease activity index scores than controls (19.9 ± 0.9 vs. 10.2 ± 0.7, p < .001). An inverse association of anti-SSA antibody with RV was detected (34.3% vs. 67.1%, p = .001). Nervous system disturbance (odds ratio (OR) = 4.340, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.438, 13.094, p = .009) and leukocytopenia (OR = 6.385, 95% CI 1.916, 21.278, p = .003) were independent risk factors, while anti-SSA antibody positivity (OR = 0.249, 95% CI 0.087, 0.710, p = .009) was a protective factor for RV in SLE patients. In certain cases, RV is a threatening condition for SLE patients presenting with clinical ocular manifestations. Ophthalmo-fundoscopic detection is recommended as soon as SLE is diagnosed.

Characterization of isolated retinal vasculitis. Analysis of a cohort from a single center and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Isolated retinal vasculitis (IRV) is an inflammatory condition of unknown etiology confined to the retinal vessels. In contrast to secondary retinal vasculitis (RV), IRV has not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and characterize isolated forms of RV.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review (2006-2016) of IRV patients from a multidisciplinary Uveitis Unit. RV diagnosis was based on funduscopic and fluorescein angiography findings. To distinguish between secondary RV and IRV, evaluations included clinical assessment, several inflammatory, autoimmune and microbiological laboratory markers, and a chest radiography. Ophthalmological features at disease onset, therapeutic interventions, ocular relapses, visual outcomes and laboratory findings were recorded. Our cases were subsequently compared with those from a literature review.

RESULTS

Among 192 patients with RV, 11 (5.7%) were diagnosed with IRV. Seven patients with initially presumed IRV were reclassified as secondary after further evaluation. IRV generally affected adult women. Bilateral ocular involvement and retinal phlebitis were common findings. 72% of patients presented with visual loss, which was severe in 27%. Treatments used included systemic glucocorticoids (82%), additional immunosuppressive agents (27%), intravitreal therapy (37%), panretinal photocoagulation (37%) and pars plana vitrectomy (26%). The annual relapse rate was 0.46. Although final visual acuity was considered good in 86%, 45% experienced worsening and only 27% improved.

CONCLUSIONS

IRV is a rare sight-threatening condition. Despite intensive local and systemic immunosuppressive treatment, visual improvement is observed in only 27% of cases. When IRV is suspected, a differential diagnosis excluding a systemic disease is always warranted. A multidisciplinary approach and a guided clinical, laboratory and imaging evaluation have proven to be useful to distinguish retinal single-organ vasculitis from secondary forms of RV.