Hemorrhagic unilateral retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the possible etiologies of a hemorrhagic unilateral retinopathy in healthy patients.

Methods: Retrospective case series and review of the literature. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmologic evaluation and analyses of their medical histories.

Results: Eleven eyes of 10 patients with unexplained unilateral, predominantly deep, intraretinal hemorrhages were identified. All patients were women. Mean age of the subjects was 48.4 years (range, 25-83 years). The main complaint at presentation was sudden visual loss, with visual acuity ranging from 20/20 to hand motion. The mean follow-up was 17 months, and the 9 eyes with follow-up showed spontaneous resolution of the hemorrhages and marked improvement of vision. There was no history of Valsalva maneuver or strenuous exercise. The patients were healthy at presentation and during follow-ups as long as 84 months.

Conclusion: This series depicts the characteristics of a possible new entity with a review of the differential diagnosis. The visual outcome was excellent.