Ocular Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Experience of Two Tertiary Referral Centers

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of the ocular manifestations related to the disease and/or ascribable to the administration of potentially toxic drugs in a cohort of 98 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Retrospective, observational study reporting the experience of two tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: Overall, an ocular involvement was detected in 29 patients (29.6%), sometimes preceding of months the diagnosis of SLE, more often revealed at diagnosis or throughout its course. More than a single ocular manifestation was found in 20 of the 29 patients with ophthalmological findings (68.9%). The array of ocular morbidity included, in a decreasing order of frequency, cataracts, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, glaucoma, discoid lesions of eyelids, episcleritis, retinopathy, vortex keratopathy, choroidopathy and retinal detachment, central retinal vein occlusion, and hydroxychloroquine-induced toxic maculopathy. CONCLUSIONS: It is advised that a multidisciplinary team for the diagnosis and treatment of SLE should regularly include the presence of an ophthalmologist.