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26 year old female with decreased visual acuity
Digital Journal of Ophthalmology 1999
Volume 5, Number 10
April 8, 1999
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Melissa Torralva, MD | Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford, California 94305 Saad Shaikh, MD | Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford, California 94305
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| Diagnosis and Discussion | Anemic Retinopathy
Transient retinal hemorrhages associated with anemia FROM gastrointestinal hemorrhage were first described by Ulrich(1) in 1883. Subsequently Pagenstecher observed similar examples of retinopathy associated with anemias FROM multiple different etiologies that also resolved upon correction.
The anemias are a GROUP of hematologic disorders manifesting in a decrease in the circulating level of red blood cells and/or a decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Symptoms common to all anemias are weakness and fatigue whereas anemias secondary to specific etiologies may also be associated with particular systemic symptoms.
The manifestations of anemic retinopathy are non-specific and may closely simulate hypertensive or diabetic retinopathy(2). Retinal changes in anemia are common consisting mainly of cotton-wool spots, venous tortuosity, and hemorrhages which may be present at all levels of the retina and choroid. Kanski notes that the duration of the anemia itself does not influence the occurrence of these changes, instead that they seem to be related to the reduction in hematocrit and are more common when the anemia coexists with thrombocytopenia(3).
Factors such as anoxia, venous stasis, angiospasm, increased capillary permeability, and thrombocytopenia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of anemic retinopathy. Other contributing factors include severity of the anemia, increased blood viscosity, as seen in leukemic and other myeloproliferative disorders, and periods of hypotension (especially following severe hemorrhage). The lattermost may also result in shock optic neuropathy which has a presentation and prognosis similar to ischemic optic neuropathy(4). Long-standing anemia FROM Vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency may also present with optic neuropathy.
Anemic retinopathy has been associated with diseases of the red blood cell elements or as a secondary manifestation of other systemic diseases, and it should be noted that many of the systemic diseases involved may be associated with similar retinal findings exclusive of the anemia per se. Hence, it has been appropriately suggested that since anemic retinopathy is almost always reversible with correction of the anemia, one should be reluctant to ascribe retinal changes entirely to concomitant systemic disease until restoration of normal hemoglobin levels and funduscopic reevaluation(2). As in the case of our patient the retinal findings resolved upon correction of the anemia and thrombocytopenia hence the diagnosis of anemic retinopathy. | |
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