Bilateral serous retinal detachments from acute hypertensive retinopathy

Bilateral serous retinal detachments from acute hypertensive retinopathy

Category(ies): Retina

Contributor: Ben J. Janson, MD

Photographer: Jody Troyer, CRA

Posted: May 1, 2018

The patient presented with acute onset of blurry vision in both eyes associated with blood pressures exceeding 190/140 mmHg. On dilated exam, both eyes had a flame hemorrhage along the vascular arcade and shifting subretinal fluid in the macula. Acute systemic hypertension more commonly manifests as flame shaped hemorrhages in the nerve fiber layer, but serous retinal detachments have also been reported.[1,2]

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References:

1. Wolfensberger TJ, Tufail A. Systemic disorders associated with detachment of the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2000; 11(6): 455-61.
2. Systemic arterial hypertension. In: Basic and clinical science course (BCSC) Section 12: Retina and vitreous. Chapter 6 Retinal vascular diseases associated with cardiovascular disease. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2016-2017.

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