Central retinal vein occlusion and HELLP syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To present a rare case of central retinal vein occlusion in conjunction with the HELLP syndrome.


METHODS
A 30-year-old woman presented in the 28th week of her second pregnancy with severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome; delivery by caesarean section was recommended. Ten days later, the patient complained of severely decreased visual acuity in her right eye.


RESULTS
Ophthalmoscopy revealed a central retinal vein occlusion with venous engorgement and tortuosity, multiple flame hemorrhages, and disc and macular edema. Electroretinography revealed a reduction of b-wave/a-wave ratio. Fluorescein-angiography showed a blockage due to extensive retinal hemorrhages with late mild staining of the walls of veins. The patient presented a spontaneous improvement in visual acuity (0.8 two months after) and a complete resolution of ophthalmoscopic findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Ophthalmic complications are possible during and soon after this syndrome. This is the first description of a patient suffering a central retinal vein occlusion during puerperium after the HELLP syndrome.
Gonzalvo
F J
FJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Abecia
E
E
Pinilla
I
I
Izaguirre
L B
LB
Oliván
J M
JM
Honrubia
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity