Bilateral central retinal vein occlusion caused by malignant hypertension in a young patient

Clin Exp Hypertens. 2011;33(1):53-5. doi: 10.3109/10641963.2010.503304. Epub 2010 Dec 19.

Abstract

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) occurring simultaneously in both eyes is a rare condition, in such cases usually associated with severe systemic disease. Overall, only 10% of all CRVO patients are younger than 40 years. A relatively young patient reported with simultaneous bilateral CRVO associated with chronic kidney disease and malignant hypertension. A case of a 35-year-old male patient presented with the complaint of decreased vision in both eyes. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral CRVO. Chronic kidney disease leading to malignant hypertension and hyperviscosity was diagnosed as the underlying cause. Clinical support and medical therapy effectively controlled the hypertension, leading to improvement of both the systemic and ocular changes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of simultaneous bilateral CRVO in a young patient associated with chronic renal failure and malignant hypertension. Primary care providers, either ophthalmologists or physicians, need to consider both common and atypical risk factors for retinal vein occlusion, in order to prevent further ocular morbidity and systemic complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure
  • Eye*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Malignant / complications*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / drug therapy
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Fibrinolytic Agents