Severe vaso-occlusive lupus retinopathy: Purtscher-like retinopathy: a case report.
Kaiyao Chi, Xiaoyang Xie, Tong Guo et al.
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Case in brief
A 24-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed blurred vision following COVID-19 infection, later presenting with fever, lymphadenopathy, seizures, and altered consciousness. Diagnosed with neuropsychiatric lupus, she exhibited bilateral Purtscher-like retinopathy. Despite standard treatment, her visual loss worsened. Interventions included photocoagulation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, leading to stabilization of blood pressure and partial visual improvement.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the occurrence of Purtscher-like retinopathy as a microvascular complication of SLE, which can precede systemic disease flares, emphasizing the need for vigilant ophthalmologic assessment.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware that ocular manifestations of SLE, such as Purtscher-like retinopathy, may present with atypical systemic symptoms and can lead to significant visual impairment if not promptly recognized.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of routine ophthalmologic screening in SLE patients, particularly those with neuropsychiatric symptoms, to prevent irreversible visual loss.