Ocular Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus : Integrative Literature Review
Käppi, Anni (2025)
2025
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202501261910
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202501261910
Tiivistelmä
Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a life-threatening chronic multisystem autoimmune disease, that may affect almost any part of the eye and body. Around a third of patients may have ocular involvement, ranging from relatively mild manifestations to severe, sight threatening disease. Typically, the disease starts between the ages of 15 and 44, and 90% of those affected are women.
Purpose: The purpose of this Master's thesis was to summarize the ocular findings associated with SLE-rheumatism through an integrative literature review. At the same time, the aim was to broaden the knowledge of Finnish optometrists in relation to SLE-rheumatism, to present through a literature review the types of ophthalmic findings associated with the disease during the active phase and during the disease throughout life, including when a treatment balance is found.
Methods: The primary literature search for the integrative literature review was conducted by Pubmed and EBSCOhost web source using MEDLINE and Academic Search Premier. The Search was limited using text published 2014-2024 and published language in English only. In the end, nine studies with a total of 10 case studies were selected for this integrative literature review. All the results of the studies were distributed by eye segment and by findings and described in narrative form.
Results: The results of case studies and findings related to SLE rheumatism and vision were variable. Five people had been previously diagnosed with SLE rheumatism and five out of ten people were diagnosed with it only after examination, along with these eye symptoms. The majority had impaired visual acuity and findings in the posterior part of the eye. The most common findings were various types of leaks, blockages or swellings in the retinal and macular area and arterial and venous leaks or blockages. Cotton wool spots were also found in several cases, as well as optic disc abnormalities. In almost all patients, the situation had improved during the follow-up period, also due to finding a treatment balance. The biggest improvement was in visual acuity. Only one patient's condition had worsened regarding the eyes since the first visit.
Conclusions: The eye manifestations in SLE are variable and the eye findings may be the presenting sign of the systemic disease. In the future, a clinical optometrist could be part of a multiprofessional team on the SLE patient's treatment path, examinating the SLE patient's vision at different stages of the disease under the supervision of an ophthalmologist and according to her/his skills.
Purpose: The purpose of this Master's thesis was to summarize the ocular findings associated with SLE-rheumatism through an integrative literature review. At the same time, the aim was to broaden the knowledge of Finnish optometrists in relation to SLE-rheumatism, to present through a literature review the types of ophthalmic findings associated with the disease during the active phase and during the disease throughout life, including when a treatment balance is found.
Methods: The primary literature search for the integrative literature review was conducted by Pubmed and EBSCOhost web source using MEDLINE and Academic Search Premier. The Search was limited using text published 2014-2024 and published language in English only. In the end, nine studies with a total of 10 case studies were selected for this integrative literature review. All the results of the studies were distributed by eye segment and by findings and described in narrative form.
Results: The results of case studies and findings related to SLE rheumatism and vision were variable. Five people had been previously diagnosed with SLE rheumatism and five out of ten people were diagnosed with it only after examination, along with these eye symptoms. The majority had impaired visual acuity and findings in the posterior part of the eye. The most common findings were various types of leaks, blockages or swellings in the retinal and macular area and arterial and venous leaks or blockages. Cotton wool spots were also found in several cases, as well as optic disc abnormalities. In almost all patients, the situation had improved during the follow-up period, also due to finding a treatment balance. The biggest improvement was in visual acuity. Only one patient's condition had worsened regarding the eyes since the first visit.
Conclusions: The eye manifestations in SLE are variable and the eye findings may be the presenting sign of the systemic disease. In the future, a clinical optometrist could be part of a multiprofessional team on the SLE patient's treatment path, examinating the SLE patient's vision at different stages of the disease under the supervision of an ophthalmologist and according to her/his skills.