OCULAR VASOOCCLUSIVE DISEASE IN PRIMARY ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Purpose: To evaluate the ocular involvement in patients with the prima ry antiphospholipid syndrome. Methods: The authors performed a cross-s ectional ophthalmologic study of 17 patients with the primary antiphos pholipid syndrome, Retinal fluorangiography was performed in 13 patien ts. Results: Visual symptoms were described by ten patients. Visual ac uity was markedly decreased in five eyes. Conjunctival telangiectases and microaneurysms, in addition to single instances of bilateral episc leritis and limbal keratitis, were the anterior segment findings. Fund us abnormalities were present in 15 patients. Venous tortuosity was th e most common finding but there were instances of optic disc edema, vi treous hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, vitreous bands, serous detachme nt of the macula, and retinal capillary abnormailties. Fluorangiograph y showed vaso-occlusive retinopathy in six eyes (5 patients, 29%). Cho riocapillary vessel occlusion was observed in two eyes (1 patient) and binocular reticular degeneration of pigmentary epithelium was present in another case. Conclusion: The eye is frequently involved in the pr imary antiphospholipid syndrome, and serious ocular damage may occur. Detailed ophthalmologic evaluation is warranted in these patients.