Neuro-ophthalmic complications in systemic lupus erythematosus: Case analysis and the literature review

Abstract

SLE is an autoimmune connective tissue disease mostly occurs in women, affects various systems of the body with broad range of symptoms and complications. A 31 year old female was admitted in October 2013 with complaints of right lower limb weakness and inability to walk for 3 days and diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remission. A detailed medical history revealed multiple admissions, initially with Parinauds syndrome due to an upper midbrain tectal lesion in December 2004 when she was Primigravida at 32 weeks and she developed SLE at 37 weeks. In subsequent admissions she was diagnosed to have transverse myelitis along with steroid induced diabetes mellitus (2005), obsessive compulsive disorder (2008) and optic neuritis (2009). On every admission patient has treated successfully; visual acuity is improving leisurely. Reviewed literature shows the relationship between SLE and its neuro-ocular complications. All the conditions diagnosed in the patient are related directly or indirectly with etiology and/or treatment of SLE; so this case would be helpful to understand pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of such cases.