Bilateral retinal occlusion progressing to long-lasting blindness in severe preeclampsia.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2002
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Temporary blindness in pregnancy associated with preeclampsia has been reported. Most cases have been attributed to cortical cerebral edema with transient vision impairment. We present a patient with bilateral retinal arteriole occlusions causing permanent blindness.
CASE: A teenage primigravida at term presented with uterine contractions and preeclampsia. Twenty-four hours after delivery she developed sudden visual loss that progressed to total bilateral blindness. Imaging studies ruled out cerebral edema and an ophthalmologic examination found retinal hemorrhages and infarcts consistent with bilateral central retinal arteriole occlusions. At 2- and 6-month follow-up there was marked persistent visual impairment.
CONCLUSION: The combination of blindness and preeclampsia is rare. Evaluation for ophthalmologic findings should be part of the initial patient assessment with preeclampsia.
Volume
100
Issue
5 Pt 1
First Page
940
Last Page
942
ISSN
0029-7844
Published In/Presented At
Lara-Torre, E., Lee, M. S., Wolf, M. A., & Shah, D. M. (2002). Bilateral retinal occlusion progressing to long-lasting blindness in severe preeclampsia. Obstetrics and gynecology, 100(5 Pt 1), 940–942.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
12423856
Department(s)
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Document Type
Article