[Acute, bilateral visual loss in a patient with IgA glomerulonephritis]

We report on a 30-year-old male patient presenting with acute bilateral loss of vision. Fundus examination showed bilateral retinal hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, macular edema and optic disk hyperemia. The blood pressure was elevated. The patient was referred to the emergency department with the diagnosis of severe stage IV hypertensive retinopathy. Further examination revealed a previously unknown IgA glomerulonephritis with terminal renal failure and secondary blood pressure derailment. Hypertensive retinopathy can be a first sign of acute renal failure. In cases of hypertensive retinopathy the differential diagnosis including systematic screening is of utmost importance.