Optic Neuritis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Three patients with clinical features of optic neuritis ultimately proved to have systemic lupus erythematosus. In one case there was histopathologic evidence of a focal ischemic lesion of the optic nerve due to lupus vasculitis. Severe initial visual loss followed by a persistent visual deficit in young women should alert the clinician to the possibility of systemic lupus erythematosus. A review of the English literature revealed only one similar case previously reported.