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Case Report: Postpartum Purtscher-like Retinopathy
Jennifer L Fairbanks, Rachael E Lloyd1, Sean P Dempsey1
1Surgical & Specialty Clinic, Optometry, St. Cloud VA Hospital, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Significance:
This case highlights various clinical features and resolution of Purtscher-like retinopathy after childbirth.
Purpose:
This study aimed to present a case report of postpartum Purtscher-like retinopathy and subsequent resolution after oral and intravitreal treatment.
Case Report:
A 30-year-old woman presented with subjective visual disturbance and transient scotoma in her right eye 7 days after giving birth. Vision measured 20/20 in her right eye and 20/20 in her left eye. Clinical examination revealed optic disc edema, retinal ischemia, and retinal hemorrhage in the right eye with a grossly normal appearance of the left eye. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made. Neuroimaging and bloodwork were noncontributory to the diagnosis. Approximately 1 month after treatment with rapidly tapered oral methylprednisolone and a single intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA) injection, the retinopathy had resolved with subjective visual improvement.
Conclusions:
Purtscher-like retinopathy can occur after childbirth, usually within 1 to 2 days postpartum and occasionally associated with preeclampsia. Clinical course and visual improvement vary, but novel treatments may aid in visual recovery.
