Retinal hemorrhage associated with thrombasthenia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Hematology
• Medical Genetics

Background:

• Spontaneous retinal hemorrhages can indicate underlying systemic conditions.
• Thrombasthenia is a rare inherited platelet function disorder characterized by impaired clot retraction.

Observation:

• A healthy 20-year-old male presented with sudden, unilateral retinal bleeding.
• He had a documented history of easy bruising, suggesting a potential bleeding diathesis.

Findings:

• Hematologic studies confirmed thrombasthenia, a hereditary hemorrhagic disorder.
• The co-occurrence of retinal hemorrhage and thrombasthenia is infrequently reported.

Implications:

• Patients with unexplained retinal hemorrhages require thorough bleeding disorder evaluation, including platelet function tests.
• Identifying thrombasthenia is crucial for managing bleeding risks and advising on medication avoidance, such as aspirin.