Atypical Valsalva retinopathy from habitual ear popping

To report a unique case of Valsalva retinopathy associated with ear popping behavior.

A 57-year-old woman with a history of well-controlled hypertension presented with episodes of seeing "spots" in her left eye for many years. Her most recent episode failed to resolve spontaneously. Fundus examination revealed scattered retinal hemorrhages in the left eye, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated sub-internal limiting membrane location of these hemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography did not reveal any vascular abnormalities. Based on these findings and an in-depth review of systems, a diagnosis of Valsalva retinopathy was made associated with patient's ear popping habit.

Habitual ear popping can be a potential etiology of symptomatic Valsalva retinopathy. This under-appreciated association may be clinically relevant for patients with a history of suspected Eustachian tube narrowing or dysfunction.