Fluorescein Angiographic Findings in Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retina of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), irrespective of their visual acuity or fundus examination. METHODS: A descriptive study was performed on 30 patients with active SLE; disease activity was calculated using The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Fundus examination and FFA angiography were done to all patients. RESULTS: A total of 60 eyes of 30 patients were included. Their mean age was 32.6 ± 1.17 years. All patients showed disease activity at time of examination according to SLEDAI. Retinopathy was detected by FAF in 24 eyes (40%), 10 eyes of which had normal fundus examination. SLEDAI was positively correlated to the presence of retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with ocular lupus should be carefully evaluated for systemic involvement and, vice versa, all patients diagnosed with SLE should have a thorough ocular examination and FFA, even if they had normal fundus.