Systemic lupus erythematosus flare-up manifesting as a cilioretinal artery occlusion

In this report we describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who was clinically stable after treatment with the antimalarial drug chloroquine and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy. Three months after the discontinuation of chloroquine, the patient developed cilioretinal artery occlusion that was the only the manifestation of a clinical flare-up without evidence of clinical disease activity elsewhere. This case report confirms the clinical belief that the antimalarial agents can maintain the clinical quiescence of systemic lupus erythematosus and its discontinuation is associated with an increase in the risk of clinical flare-up.