The clinico-ophthalmological spectrum of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a hypercoagulable disorder with highly v ariable symptomatology including ocular manifestations. Antiphospholipid an tibodies (aPL) are the serologic markers of this clinical entity. Our aim w as to note the main associated ocular features of APS and elucidate which p athogenic mechanisms may participate. Retinal vascular thrombosis and diffe rent neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations, such as optic neuropathy and amau rosis fugax, may be considered as the ocular hallmarks of this syndrome. Oc ular features due to aPL-induced thrombosis should be treated with anticoag ulant drugs. Conversely, for the treatment of ocular features due to immuno logical mechanisms such as vasculitis, immunosuppressive regimes seem to be more appropriate.