Periorbital discoid lupus erythematosus: a retrospective study

A Rare Manifestation of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Solely in the Lower Eyelid of a Young Man

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)-associated edema and erythema on the lower eyelid as the only manifestation of the disease is a rare clinical entity. Persistent discoid lupus-related lower eyelid manifestations are challenging to diagnose, can be mistaken for blepharitis or malignancies, and often require histopathological evaluation. If left untreated, the condition can progress, among others, to conjunctival scarring or symblepharon formation. Thus, early identification and management of the disease entity is of the utmost significance. We present a rare case of a young patient with enduring, unilateral lower eyelid edema and erythema that had been managed as blepharitis for several years. No other related cutaneous involvement was detected on the eyelids, face, or body. Following a lower eyelid biopsy and histopathological assessment, the patient was diagnosed with underlying DLE. This case report reviews the previous literature, discusses a differentiation strategy from other relevant pathologies, such as blepharitis and sebaceous cell carcinoma, and highlights the implemented diagnostic procedures.

Understanding Ocular Findings and Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Update Review of the Literature

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease. Up to one-third of patients suffering from SLE have various ocular manifestations. The ocular findings may represent the initial manifestation of the systemic disease and may lead to severe ocular complications, and even loss of vision. Ocular manifestations are often associated with degree of systemic inflammation, but also can precede the occurrence of systemic symptoms. Early diagnosis and adequate management of patients with SLE are crucial and require cooperation between various specialists. Proper preparation of ophthalmologists can help to differentiate between complication of SLE and other ocular disorders. New therapies for SLE are promising for potential benefits, however, ocular side effects are still unknown.