Unilateral cancer-associated retinopathy: a case report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome.
• It involves autoantibodies targeting retinal antigens, leading to photoreceptor dysfunction and vision loss.

Observation:

• A patient with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia presented with unilateral blurred vision, color, and night vision disturbances.
• Clinical findings included reduced electroretinography waves (a and b) in the affected eye, and fundoscopic signs of retinal pigment epithelium mottling, attenuated vessels, and optic disc pallor.

Findings:

• The case presented as strictly unilateral cancer-associated retinopathy.
• Treatment with posterior subtenon triamcinolone injections stabilized visual acuity over a 4-year period.

Implications:

• CAR can be an early indicator of malignancy or a sign of recurrence.
• Ophthalmologists should consider CAR in patients with gynecological malignancies presenting with visual symptoms.
• This case highlights the importance of recognizing unilateral visual disturbances as a potential paraneoplastic manifestation.