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Case Reports
. 2014 Oct 23:2014:bcr2014207130.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-207130.

Postcoital visual loss due to valsalva retinopathy

Luke Michaels  1 , Naing Latt Tint  2 , Philip Alexander  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Postcoital visual loss due to valsalva retinopathy

Luke Michaels et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

A 29-year-old male patient presented to eye emergency clinic after noticing a left paracentral scotoma on waking. On direct questioning the patient revealed an episode of vigorous sexual intercourse the preceding evening. During orgasm the valsalva manoeuvre can produce a sudden increase in retinal venous pressure resulting in vessel rupture and haemorrhagic retinopathy. Valsalva retinopathy is managed conservatively and the patient's symptoms resolved spontaneously without intervention. This case report highlights the importance of focused history taking of patients which can thereby obviate the need for further investigations. This case also emphasises the importance of considering sexual activity as a cause of stress-induced pathology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Valsalva-induced parafoveal haemorrhage.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proposed mechanism for valsalva retinopathy during orgasm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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