On 8/8, Bach Mai Hospital reported a 43-year-old male patient admitted with rapidly deteriorating vision in both eyes, experiencing no pain. The symptoms initially appeared in his left eye about a week before spreading to his right eye. An examination revealed widespread retinal hemorrhaging and necrosis in both eyes, initially suggesting acute retinal necrosis (ARN).

After conducting extensive tests to rule out viral causes, experts identified antiphospholipid syndrome as the cause, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes retinal vasculitis and various systemic complications. This condition can progress rapidly, leading to complete loss of light perception.

Retinal examination revealed widespread retinal hemorrhaging and necrosis in both eyes. Photo: Hospital provided

Facing the risk of irreversible damage, the medical team immediately intervened with aggressive immunosuppressive therapy combined with anticoagulants to prevent thrombosis. Notably, plasma exchange (PEX) was performed 5 times to remove circulating autoantibodies in the patient's blood.

After over three weeks of treatment, the results were remarkable. The patient’s vision improved significantly, his retina stabilized, and there were no further signs of progressive necrosis. Doctors emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and prompt intervention for this rare condition, which often leads to severe visual impairment if not treated properly.

Le Nga