Which condition may cause transient blindness in SLE patients?

Transient blindness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often associated with retinal vasculitis. This vascular condition affects the blood vessels in the retina, leading to potential vision disruptions. In SLE patients, the immune system can create inflammatory responses that may target these vessels, resulting in symptoms such as visual disturbances or even temporary vision loss. This is particularly significant as retinal vasculitis can arise from the systemic involvement of SLE, influencing the delicate blood supply to the retina and impacting vision.

While conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts can certainly lead to complications in vision, they are less likely to cause transient blindness specifically related to the inflammatory processes seen in SLE. Retinal detachment is more associated with structural problems in the eye rather than inflammatory processes from SLE. Glaucoma involves increased intraocular pressure that can lead to permanent vision loss but does not typically present as transient blindness. Likewise, cataracts develop over time and lead to cloudy vision but do not cause sudden, transient episodes of blindness. Thus, retinal vasculitis stands out as the primary condition linked with transient blindness in SLE patients.