Transient high myopia in systemic lupus erythematosus associated with anasarca

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Vascular complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients.
• Ocular involvement in SLE can range from mild to severe, impacting visual function.

Observation:

• An 18-year-old female patient with SLE presented with generalized vascular decompensation.
• She experienced a rapid onset of severe, transient myopia exceeding 10 diopters.
• Concurrently, the patient exhibited signs of anasarca (generalized edema).

Findings:

• The severe myopia was directly linked to the systemic vascular decompensation caused by SLE.
• Resolution of the vascular decompensation and anasarca led to the complete disappearance of the myopia.
• This suggests a direct pathophysiological link between SLE-related vascular dysfunction and refractive error.

Implications:

• Transient, high myopia can be a presenting or concurrent symptom of severe vascular decompensation in SLE.
• Ophthalmological monitoring is crucial in SLE patients with vascular involvement.
• Understanding this association may lead to earlier diagnosis and management of both ocular and systemic complications in SLE.