A 48-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH CHRONIC, PROGRESSIVE BILATERAL VISION LOSS AND DYSPNEA

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a unique case of isolated, bilateral serous retinal detachments associated with primary pulmonary arterial hypertension. Methods: Case report. Results: A 48-year-old woman with primary pulmonary arterial hypertension presented with bilateral vision loss. She was found to have bilateral serous retinal detachments in the macula with accumulation of the fibrinous material. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated intraretinal and subretinal fluid, hyperreflective material in the subretinal space, and choroidal engorgement. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated pooling in the maculas, an area of blockage corresponding with the area of subretinal exudative material, and a petalloid pattern of leakage in the maculas without evidence of retinal vascular leakage. Her ocular symptoms improved with aggressive medical management of her pulmonary arterial hypertension with the addition of eplerenone. Conclusion: Primary pulmonary arterial hypertension results in chronically elevated systemic venous pressure, leading to both systemic and ocular symptoms. It is important to consider this systemic condition in the differential diagnosis of serous retinal detachments to provide adequate multidisciplinary management.