CLINICAL AND OPHTHALMOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF LUPUS MANIFESTATIONS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and complex autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems, including the eyes. Clinical and ophthalmological assessment of lupus manifestations plays a crucial role in understanding disease progression and designing appropriate treatment strategies. Ocular involvement in lupus can range from mild symptoms such as dry eye and light sensitivity to more severe manifestations such as uveitis, retinitis and optic neuritis. Objective: to critically analyze the available scientific literature on the clinical and ophthalmological evaluation of lupus manifestations. Methodology: The methodology adopted for this systematic review was based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Searches were carried out in the PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases, using the following descriptors: "systemic lupus erythematosus", "ocular manifestations", "clinical evaluation", "ophthalmological evaluation" and "ocular treatment". The search was limited to studies published within the last 10 years. Results: 15 articles were selected. The review revealed a variety of ocular manifestations associated with lupus, including keratitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, retinal vasculitis, and vascular occlusion. Detailed clinical evaluation, including medical history, physical examination and complete ophthalmological examination, proved to be essential for the accurate diagnosis and adequate management of these manifestations. Advanced diagnostic methods such as fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography have also played an important role in assessing the severity of lupus ocular complications. Conclusion: Clinical and ophthalmologic evaluation of lupus manifestations is of paramount importance to determine the extent of ocular involvement and to direct the appropriate treatment. The systematic review of the literature emphasizes the diversity of ocular symptoms associated with lupus and highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the management of these complications. Early detection and adequate intervention can not only improve patients' quality of life, but also prevent irreversible vision damage.