Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of unknown etiology in which tissues and cells are damaged by pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes. Optic neuritis in SLE is very rare and the prevalence can be estimated to be approximately 1% of the patients of SLE. The main pathogenesis of optic neuritis with SLE is that of a vaso-occlusive disease in small vessels and the histopathologic appearance has varied from demyelination to definite vascular disease with axonal necrosis. The visual outcome of optic neuritis in SLE has often been poor. The treatments of optic neuritis in SLE are intravenous methylprednisolone, immunosuppressive agents and plasmapheresis. The authors experienced a case of lupus nephritis and CNS lupus which was complicated by optic neuritis in 18-year-old female patient who complained of sudden visual disturbance of the both eyes After treatment with plasmapheresis and systemic corticosteroid, her visual deficit was gradually recovered.
Adolescent ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Autoantibodies ; Axons ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Nephritis ; Methylprednisolone ; Necrosis ; Optic Neuritis* ; Plasmapheresis ; Prevalence ; Vascular Diseases