OPHTHALMIC FEATURES OF 14 CASES OF GOODPASTURES-SYNDROME

Juxtapapillary subretinal neovascular membranes developed in both eyes of a patient who had been treated for Goodpasture's syndrome for 4 ye ars. These lesions caused visual impairment but were successfully trea ted by laser photocoagulation. Subretinal neovascularisation has not b een reported before in association with Goodpasture's syndrome, but di verse ocular abnormalities have been described. It is not certain whet her these lesions were caused by anti-basement-membrane auto-antibodie s. The eyes of 13 other patients with Goodpasture's syndrome were exam ined, in order to detect other unsuspected ocular pathology. In 1 furt her patient, both retinae contained a few unexplained superficial reti nal haemorrhages. During follow-up, the original patient developed bil ateral peripheral retinoschisis. From this short series and from cases previously described, we conclude that sight-threatening ocular abnor malities are rare in Goodpasture's syndrome. It is, however, particula rly important to be aware of the possibility of treatable eye disease in Goodpasture's syndrome, since the introduction of effective treatme nt with immunosuppression and plasmapheresis has made long-term surviv al likely.