Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

PHOTOESSAY
Year
: 2013  |  Volume : 61  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 176--177

High altitude retinopathy


Muna P Bhende, Aashraya P Karpe, Bikramjit P Pal 
 Sri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India

Correspondence Address:
Muna P Bhende
No 18, College Road, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai 600 006
India

Abstract

High altitude retinopathy is a condition often seen among mountain climbers or among persons who reach high altitudes rapidly. In this report, we describe a case of a 57 year old healthy gentleman who presented with diminution of vision in both the eyes associated with retinal hemorrhages and the spontaneous resolution of the same.



How to cite this article:
Bhende MP, Karpe AP, Pal BP. High altitude retinopathy.Indian J Ophthalmol 2013;61:176-177


How to cite this URL:
Bhende MP, Karpe AP, Pal BP. High altitude retinopathy. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2013 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];61:176-177
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2013/61/4/176/112163


Full Text

High Altitude Retinopathy is a well described clinical entity characterized by vascular dilatation and scattered superficial hemorrhages. Although a benign condition, its accurate diagnosis may alert the attending physician in preventing the other more fatal conditions of the spectrum of Altitude Illness namely pulmonary and cerebral edema. Also, the diagnosis of high altitude retinopathy does not immediately come to mind when one sees a patient at sea level and the patient may be investigated for myriad other etiologies. We are also emphasizing the benign course of the condition associated with spontaneous recovery.

 Presentation



A 57-year healthy avid mountain climber came with 20 days history of sudden onset painless diminution of vision in the left eye. Patient was on his first Everest expedition when he noticed a central field defect. His medical history was unremarkable.

Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye.

Anterior segment examination of both eyes was unremarkable. Fundus examination of both eyes [Figure 1] and [Figure 2] revealed multiple flame shaped superficial hemorrhages located in all the four quadrants up to the mid periphery. In addition, the left eye also had a dark blotchy intra retinal hemorrhage at the fovea measuring approximately 0.5 DD. {Figure 1}{Figure 2}

The patient underwent a complete hemogram, basic coagulation profile and peripheral blood smear, which revealed no abnormality. He underwent a general physical check up and imaging to rule out cardiac or neurological abnormalities, which turned out to be normal.

A diagnosis of High Altitude Retinopathy was made. At four weeks follow up, a near total resolution of hemorrhages with BCVA 20/20, N6 in both eyes was noted, which confirmed our diagnosis. [Figure 3] and [Figure 4] shows reduction in hemorrhages at 2 weeks and [Figure 5] and [Figure 6] show almost total resolution at 4 weeks.{Figure 3}{Figure 4}{Figure 5}{Figure 6}

 Discussion



High-altitude retinal hemorrhages (HARH) were first described more than four decades ago by Singh, et al. [1]

High altitude retinopathy was classified by Weidman. [2] He graded it according to the number and area of distribution of hemorrhages. Various theories, [2],[3] have been described in the pathogenesis of HAR. Autoregulation in response to hypoxia, increase in venous pressure secondary to raised intra cranial pressure and variations in hematocrit levels have been described. However, the autoregulation theory is most widely accepted.

Hypoxia, due to deficient oxygen at a high altitude, induces various compensatory mechanism in the retinal vasculature, [4] which leads to retinal hemorrhages. Choroidal circulation does not exhibit autoregulation; hence, the occurrence of hemorrhages is more in the superficial retina than at a deeper level.

This is a usually a self-limiting condition which does not require any active intervention.

References

1Singh I, Khanna PK, Srivastava MC, Lal M, Roy SB, Subramanyam CS. Acute mountain sickness. N Engl J Med 1969;280:175-84.
2Wiedman M. High altitude retinal hemorrhage. Arch Ophthalmol 1975;93:401-3.
3Rennie D, Morrissey J. Retinal changes in Himalayan climbers. Arch Ophthalmol 1975;93:395-400.
4Kobrick JL, Appleton B. Effects of extended hypoxia on visual performance and retinal vascular state. J Appl Physiol 1971;31:357-62.