Purtscher-like Retinopathy After Placental Abruption

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are susceptible to visual disturbances, particularly with hypertension. Vision generally recovers postpartum within hours to days. A rare condition known as Purtscher-like retinopathy presents abruptly postpartum with visual field defects and blindness. Recovery of vision is unpredictable, occurring over several weeks and months. CASE: A 38-year-old woman presented at 34 weeks' gestation with contractions and heavy bleeding. Placental abruption was confirmed after a repeat cesarean was performed. Hours after delivery, she complained of central vision loss despite normal blood pressure and preeclamptic laboratory results. The diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made, presumably from multiple infarcts to the retina caused by the placental abruption. CONCLUSION: Recovery from Purtscher-like retinopathy may result in permanent visual impairment.