Antiphospholipid antibodies and retinal thrombosis in patients without risk factors: a prospective case-control study

Anticardiolipin antibodies in proliferative diabetic retinopathy: An additional risk factor

PURPOSE

To report the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) having high-risk criteria (HRC).

METHODS

Diabetic patients having PDR with HRC and diabetics free of retinopathy were compared for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies.

RESULTS

Among the 34 patients, 6 (17.7%) of diabetics having PDR with HRC were positive for anticardiolipin antibodies. There was no significant association of aCL antibodies with sex or type of diabetes. Using Pearson's correlation test, no significant associations of aCL antibodies with duration of diabetes or age of patients were found. All patients who were positive for anticardiolipin antibodies had PDR with HRC. The difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Presence of anticardiolipin antibodies may represent an additional risk factor for PDR.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome presenting with a branch retinal artery occlusion in a 15-year-old boy

Acute vascular events are rare in the pediatric population, but there is an association with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. When there is no other underlying medical disorder, this is referred to as primary antiphospholipid syndrome. We present a case of a 15-year-old boy who developed an acute superior branch retinal artery occlusion. Complete evaluation revealed significant elevations in antiphospholipid antibodies. To our knowledge, there are no cases in children of primary antiphospholipid syndrome presenting with this clinical manifestation.