Cryoglobulinemia revealed by a Purtscher-like retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the importance of collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists.


METHODS
Cryoglobulinemia is a systemic vascularite. Ophthalmologic complications are rare and not well known. Purtscher-like retinopathy may occur in this context.


METHODS
We report the case of a patient who presented a severe visual loss in the course of a hepatitis C. The ophthalmic examination shows a both ischemic and hemorrhagic bilateral retinopathy called Purtscher-like retinopathy. Cryoglobulinemia complicating a hepatitis C was discovered in our patient.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates a cryoglobulinemia complicating by a Purtscher-like retinopathy. The diagnosis has been possible thanks to collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists. We propose a few hypotheses to explain retinopathy pathogeny.
Sauer
Arnaud
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de lâ€™hÃ´pital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France. arnaud.sauer@chru-strasbourg.fr
Nasica
Xavier
X
Zorn
Frédérique
F
Petitjean
Philippe
P
Bader
Patrick
P
Speeg-Schatz
Claude
C
Lenoble
Patrick
P