ABSTRACT
Visual dysfunction occurs in people with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with or without the coexistence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ocular occlusions may affect the retina, choroid, and optic nerve. The ophthalmic manifestations of the aPL syndrome are secondary to vascular occlusion of the retina, choroid, optic nerve, brain, and intracranial venous sinuses. Severe retinal vaso-occlusive disease and choroidopathy in SLE were discussed and reviewed by D. A. Jabs and colleagues, prior to widespread testing for aPL. Retinal\choroidal occlusions have been noted in several variations of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome, including Sneddon's disease and Degos' disease. The prevalence of aPL in ocular ischemia may be gleaned from the literature on cerebrovascular disease. Cerebral venous thrombosis may present with a pseudotumor cerebri picture of headaches, papilledema, and normal computed tomography. In patients with amaurosis fugax and aPL, retinal emboli usually are not seen, and echocardiograms may be normal. aPL has been reported in the optic neuropathies with and without coexisting SLE.
