High Altitude Retinopathy Presenting as Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in a Soldier

A 33-year soldier, deployed at an altitude of 3,350 meters for two years, developed unilateral Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) in the left eye. He had no risk factor for thrombosis and all thrombophilia screenings were negative. The patient was managed with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (Bevacizumab) every four weeks. He showed gradual improvement in the visual acuity over the next 3 months. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after three months was 6/7.5; whereas, initially it was limited to hand movements only. This case illustrates that prolonged exposure to high altitude is a risk factor for CRVO, too. Frequent eye examination, including fundus, should be carried out among people living at such altitudes.