Open AccessRetinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: Relationship to disease activity
Author(s) -
Klinkhoff Alice V.,
Beattie Craig W.,
Chalmers Andrew
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780290914
Subject(s) - medicine , retinopathy , fluorescein angiography , cotton wool spots , retinal , diabetes mellitus , ophthalmology , lupus erythematosus , systemic disease , systemic lupus erythematosus , dermatology , disease , immunology , antibody , endocrinology
Forty‐three patients taking chloroquine for systemic lupus erythematosus were followed by one ophthalmologist over a 5‐year period. Visual field testing, color vision testing, and fluorescein angiography were performed. Retinopathy was detected in 7 patients (16%), none of whom had hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Retinal abnormalities included cotton‐wool spots in 4 patients, microaneurysms in 3, and vascular tortuosity in 4. In 4 patients, these abnormalities were associated with retinal dysfunction, measured in terms of abnormal hue discrimination. In 6 of the 7 patients, the finding of retinopathy coincided with a flare of lupus activity. In 5 patients, retinopathy improved when the disease was controlled.