Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review

Abstract Background Previous literature has reported cases of reversible visual loss associated with pre-eclampsia. Here, we present a patient with severe pre-eclampsia and a history of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who experienced irreversible visual loss. Case presentation An 18-year-old woman,...

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Main Authors: Sara Mirzaeian, Saeed Zarrabi, Mahdieh Mottaghi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07552-w
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author Sara Mirzaeian
Saeed Zarrabi
Mahdieh Mottaghi
author_facet Sara Mirzaeian
Saeed Zarrabi
Mahdieh Mottaghi
author_sort Sara Mirzaeian
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Previous literature has reported cases of reversible visual loss associated with pre-eclampsia. Here, we present a patient with severe pre-eclampsia and a history of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who experienced irreversible visual loss. Case presentation An 18-year-old woman, gravida 2, abortion 1, with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome, was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia at 34 weeks of gestation. The patient had highly triple positive antiphospholipid antibodies and was on aspirin and enoxaparin 40 mg daily throughout her pregnancy. Despite timely cesarean section and control of blood pressure, the patient developed bilateral visual loss due to serous retinal detachment and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Although the patient received ophthalmologic interventions, anticoagulant, and immunosuppressive therapy, her vision failed to recover, and at five years of follow-up, the patient remained legally blind. Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of monitoring pregnant women with APS who, despite receiving aspirin and LMWH treatments throughout pregnancy, still present with pre-eclampsia. This underscores the need for proper prophylaxis and timely interventions to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-c46e33e5b58847289cbe4e5f92cf100e2025-08-20T03:10:06ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-04-012511810.1186/s12884-025-07552-wIrreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature reviewSara Mirzaeian0Saeed Zarrabi1Mahdieh Mottaghi2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesLegal Medicine OrganizationClinical Research Development Unit, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Previous literature has reported cases of reversible visual loss associated with pre-eclampsia. Here, we present a patient with severe pre-eclampsia and a history of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who experienced irreversible visual loss. Case presentation An 18-year-old woman, gravida 2, abortion 1, with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome, was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia at 34 weeks of gestation. The patient had highly triple positive antiphospholipid antibodies and was on aspirin and enoxaparin 40 mg daily throughout her pregnancy. Despite timely cesarean section and control of blood pressure, the patient developed bilateral visual loss due to serous retinal detachment and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Although the patient received ophthalmologic interventions, anticoagulant, and immunosuppressive therapy, her vision failed to recover, and at five years of follow-up, the patient remained legally blind. Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of monitoring pregnant women with APS who, despite receiving aspirin and LMWH treatments throughout pregnancy, still present with pre-eclampsia. This underscores the need for proper prophylaxis and timely interventions to prevent catastrophic outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07552-wPre-eclampsiaBlindnessAntiphospholipid syndromeGlaucomaRetinal detachment
spellingShingle Sara Mirzaeian
Saeed Zarrabi
Mahdieh Mottaghi
Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pre-eclampsia
Blindness
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Glaucoma
Retinal detachment
title Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
title_full Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
title_fullStr Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
title_short Irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre-eclampsia: a case presentation and literature review
title_sort irreversible vision loss in antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by pre eclampsia a case presentation and literature review
topic Pre-eclampsia
Blindness
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Glaucoma
Retinal detachment
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07552-w
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AT mahdiehmottaghi irreversiblevisionlossinantiphospholipidsyndromecomplicatedbypreeclampsiaacasepresentationandliteraturereview