A case to illustrate the role of ophthalmologist in systemic lupus erythematosus

Crosstalk between Myopia and Inflammation: A Mini Review

Myopia represents a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly affecting the ocular health of children and adolescents. The escalating prevalence of myopia in recent years underscores its urgency as a health issue among this demographic. Research indicates a profound connection between the onset of myopia, inflammatory processes and fibrosis. Individuals with inflammatory conditions like allergic conjunctivitis, choroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and diabetes exhibit a heightened susceptibility to myopia. Conversely, myopic patients are at an increased risk of developing ocular inflammatory disorders, notably idiopathic multifocal choroiditis. We postulate that the expression of inflammatory markers, including NF-κB, TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, may contribute to the chronic inflammatory state observed in myopia. This paper highlights a substantial correlation between myopia and inflammation, suggesting the potential efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents in managing inflammation and slowing myopia progression.

Lupus-Induced Myopic Shift

While ophthalmic manifestations of lupus are common, a myopic shift is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An acute myopic shift is defined as a progressive worsening of nearsighted vision within a short time frame. Here, we describe the unique presentation of a young woman with a lupus-induced acute myopic shift. The patient presented with blurry vision and bleeding gums with a previous abnormal lymph node biopsy to rule out ocular lymphoma or leukemia. Her baseline prescription prior to coming in was −4.0D in both eyes. Upon exam, she presented with vision worsening: −7.0D in the right eye and −8.2D in the left eye. After completing blood laboratory tests, it became clear that she had pancytopenia, kidney damage, and elevated inflammatory markers pointing towards lupus. A diagnosis of acute binocular myopic shift induced by systemic lupus erythematosus was made.