Antiphosphospholipid syndrome presenting with amaurosis fugax and cotton wool spots

To describe the importance of considering vaso-occlusive disease on the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with amaurosis fugax (AF) and unilateral cotton wool spots (CWS).

A 69-year-old female with history of obesity, hyperlipidemia and recent orthopedic surgery, presented with 3 days of worsening monocular AF and CWS in the right eye. She was diagnosed with antiphosphospholipid syndrome based on positive serologic testing for antiphosphatidylserine IgM, anticardiolipin IgM. The patient was treated with lipid lowering medication, long-term aspirin, and has followed a weightloss and physical therapy program under medical supervision. The CWS resolved and AF symptoms have not recurred.

Antiphospholipid syndrome can be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with AF, assymetric CWS, and/or rapid progression of symptoms.