Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To report the occurrence of valsalva retinopathy in a 44year old male after undergoing a routine colonoscopy. Methods: Case report of a patient who presented with a central scotoma and blurred vision in his right eye. The patient had undergone a routine colonoscopy to investigate the source of lower gastrointestinal bleed. He reported experiencing a significant amount of pain during the procedure, as well as noticing a dark spot in the center of his right eye accompanied by blurred vision. Results: Funduscopic exam revealed a dumb-bell shaped, subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhage in the fovea of the right eye. Fluorescein angiogram revealed an area of blockage without leakage corresponding to the funduscopic picture. A diagnosis of valsalva retinopathy was made by history and funduscopic exam. Our patient's vision returned to normal one month later and required no treatment, repeat funduscopic exam showed resolution of the hemorrhage. Conclusion: Valsalva retinopathy occurs following an increase in intrathoracic pressure. It usually occurs in healthy individuals without any prior retinal disorder and typically resolves spontaneously. It is most likely that the patient's retinopathy was caused by his constant valsalva maneuver secondary to pain. Colonoscopies are performed routinely and to our knowledge, this is the first report of valsalva retinopathy following colonoscopy. Patients complaining of blurred vision after a gastrointestinal procedure should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist for the possibility of valsalva retinopathy. However, the prognosis appears to be favorable and reassurance can be given.
Keywords: 460 macula/fovea • 554 retina