Von Willebrand's disease type I as a cause for subvitreal, retinal and subretinal haemorrhages

Abstract

Background: Young patients with vitreous, retinal and subvitreal haemorrhages without neovascularisation or prior trauma are a diagnostic challenge for the physician. In this case report, a patient is presented who developed unilateral, spontaneous, subvitreal, retinal and subretinal haemorrhages and was diagnosed with von Willebrand's disease.

Case report: A 33-year-old Caucasian woman presented at our clinic with unilateral subvitreal, retinal and subretinal haemorrhages. The haemorrhages occurred spontaneously without prior trauma, and the patient had no history of prior bleeding complications. Analysis of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system and von Willebrand multimer analysis led to the diagnosis von Willebrand's disease type I.

Conclusions: Spontaneous subvitreal, retinal and subretinal haemorrhages may be associated with coagulation disorders. Especially in young patients, von Willebrand's disease should be considered as a possible cause.