Retinal periphlebitis in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
The ocular and visual manifestations of multiple sclerosis are varied. The most uncommon is sheathing of the veins, periphlebitis.


METHODS
A 39-year-old white female presented with primary visual complaints of contrast problems on a computer terminal. The patient was lost to follow up for 4 years, however, upon return a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was confirmed. Six years after the initial presentation, ophthalmoscopic exam of both eyes revealed marked focal sheathing of the retinal veins in the periphery, and associated hemorrhages in the right eye.


RESULTS
During follow-up, the left eye became further involved developing hemorrhages and a retinal hole, which was treated. The visual consequence of the multiple sclerosis as a result of further exacerbations were bilateral centrocecal scotomas and midly reduced visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple sclerosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with retinal periphlebitis.
State University of New York State College of Optometry, New York 10010.
J
J
Sherman
I
I
Bodis-Wollner
F
F
Milch
J
J
Goldstein
J
J
Brannan
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis