Related Experiment Videos
Reversible blindness associated with alcoholic ketoacidosis
Youichi Yanagawa1, Teturou Kiyozumi, Kousuke Hatanaka
1Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan. yanagawa@me.ndmc.ac.jp
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|April 3, 2004
Summary
Severe alcoholic ketoacidosis can cause temporary blindness. Prompt treatment of acidosis rapidly restored vision in a patient, highlighting the importance of recognizing this link.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a metabolic complication of chronic alcohol abuse.
- Visual disturbances are not commonly associated with alcoholic ketoacidosis.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male presented with acute, bilateral blindness.
- The patient had a history of severe ethanol-induced ketoacidosis and shock.
Findings:
- Treatment with sodium bicarbonate and epinephrine resolved the ketoacidosis.
- The patient's blindness rapidly and completely resolved following acidosis treatment.
Implications:
- Severe acidosis can be the primary cause of reversible bilateral blindness.
- Clinicians should consider alcoholic ketoacidosis in patients presenting with unexplained visual loss.
- Metabolic derangements, particularly severe acidosis, can manifest with ocular symptoms.