Dr. Albert Li Discusses a Complex Case of Antiphospholipid Syndrome on JVRD Podcast
In a recent episode of the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases (JVRD) Author’s Forum podcast, Dr. Albert Li of Vitreoretinal Consultants of New York sat down with host Dr. Timothy Murray to discuss a rare and sobering case featured in the July/August 2025 issue of JVRD.
The case involved a patient with triple-negative antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who presented for a routine eye exam and was found to have retinal whitening — the first sign of a branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO). Despite appropriate anticoagulation therapy and specialist referrals, the patient later developed additional BRAOs and ultimately passed away from systemic complications.
Dr. Li, who co-authored a paper on this case titled "Multiple Successive Branch Retinal Artery Occlusions in a Patient with Antiphospholipid Syndrome Despite Anticoagulation," shared insights from the case and its broader clinical implications.
As Dr. Li explains in the interview, APS is typically associated with large-vessel thromboses, but this case highlights the devastating impact it can have on the retinal microvasculature. Drawing from neurology literature, he emphasizes that any retinal ischemia can be a red flag for stroke and warrants urgent, multidisciplinary evaluation.
The conversation also underscores the continued value of widefield fluorescein angiography in identifying subtle or atypical presentations of retinal artery occlusion — and the need for retina specialists to maintain an open mind during assessment, examining both eyes even when symptoms are unilateral.
This case serves as a powerful reminder of the retina’s role in systemic vascular disease — and how collaborative care can improve outcomes, even in the face of challenging diagnoses.