Hemi-Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Secondary to the Habit of Forceful Sneeze Prevention-Juniper Publishers
Introduction
31 year-old man applied to the eye clinic with a complaint of silhouette in the lower paracentral visual field on his left eye. His central visual acuity was 10/10 both on his eyes. Fundus examination revealed hemi-central vein occlusion sparing the macula. A few days later widespread intra-retinal hemorhages fell into macula and visual acuity reduced dramatically. Detailed story of the patient pointed out that he had a lomber disc herniation 3 months ago at L3-L4 levels. Detailed history also showed that the patient had hypertrophic adenoids and hypertrophic nasal conc has which are under treatment by nasal decongestants. The patient did not have a heavy conditional work. But it had been speculated that powerful prevention and keeping the sneeze resulted both the herniation and hemi-central vein occlusion. Vein occlusions are common among olders but systemic disorders must be ruled out in youngers. We intended to share acute intra-ocular pressure increase as an uncommon cause for vein occlusion in this dramatic young man because systemic disease research came clean. Lomber herniation usually occurs secondary to forcing the inter-vertebral discs to high pressures that they can endure. So they can rupture and cause disc herniation. Performing valsalva maneuver by coughing, sneezing or sneeze prevention may increase pressure inside the medulla spinalis so it can result as disc herniation. This maneuver not only affects on the intervertebral discs, but also on all intra- and extra-dural structures and nerves [1]. So optic nerve head may be affected as an intra-dural component.
Hemi-central retinal vein occlusions which are classified in central retinal vein occlusion may result from hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hyper coagulable states and hypercholesterolemia. Younger patients with hemi-central retinal vein occlusion must be ruled out from diseases mentioned above. Valsalva manoeuver is the forced exhalation against a closed glottis. First described by an Italian anatomist in 17th century Antonio Maria Valsalva, it is now a well known entity amongst medical practitioners. It leads to increased intra- thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure and raised central venous pressure. It is an uncommon condition and has been reported to occur with various forms of Valsalva stress such as weight lifting, physical exercise, balloon blowing, birth labour [2]. Sneezing prevention may be accepted as a rare cause of valsalva stress. Preretinal haemorrhage caused by this sudden rise in venous pressure was first termed as Valsalva haemorrhagic retinopathy by Duane TD in 1972 [3]. Valsalva retinopathy is typically seen in young males. Sometimes it may make a fluid level which's location can be subinternal limiting membrane (ILM) or subhyaloid. Duane [3] first postulated the mechanisms for retinopathies due to distal trauma as alteration in arterial circulation (forward retinopathy), venous circulation (backward retinopathy) or to changes occurring in both systems (mixed retinopathy). Valsalva retinopathy may look like vein occlusions in appearance as spreaded intraretinal haemorrhages but transformation of valsalva retinopathy to vein occlusion related macular edema is a rare antity. Here i report a case about valsalva retinopathy which transformed to complete hemi-central vein occlusion in a week.
Case Presentation
A 31 year-old healthy man complained about a blurry
silhouette in the lower para-central visual field in his left eye after a
powerfull sneeze prevention. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral
10/10 visual acuities and normal ocular tensions. Detailed examination
showed a hemi-central vein occlusion sparing macula in the left fundus.
There were widespread intra-retinal haemorrhages diffused in the upper
hemi- central retina and a pre-retinal and subhyaloid haemorrhage just
near the temporal macula. The fundus view is seen in Figure 1.
Questioning about heavy work conditions for probable valsalva maneuver
indicated a sneeze prevention habit. He had a lomber disc herniation at
the L3-L4 levels 3 months ago and hypertrophic adenoids and nasal
conchas which were still being treated by nasal decongestants. Lomber
disc herniation is seen in Figure 2.
Sneeze prevention habit was accused for lomber disc herniation by
neuro-surgeon. After a week of rest recommendation and conservative
management for valsalva retinopathy, the haemorrhages came to the bottom
of macula and clinical macular edema settled upon as his visual acuity
decreased to 3/10. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was performed in
other eye center at second week and he had full visual recovery again in
two weeks time after the injection.
There were no retinal holes, tears, detachment, perivascular sheathing or snow banking at parsplana. Vein occlusions were not common among youngers so investigations including complete blood counts, clotting parameters such as antithrombin, protein c, protein s, d-dimer, factor 5, biochemical parameters such as urea, creatinine and glucose, crp, sedimentation were normal. Systemic evaluation was carried out by the physician and no abnormality was detected. We diagnosed him as hemi-central vein occlusion secondary to valsalva retinopathy. Systemic clotting abnormalities must be ruled out in hemi-central retinal vein occlusion among youngers. Disc herniation without predisposing factor and vein occlusion after sneeze prevention steered us to think about valsalva retinopathy. Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was performed and laser photocoagulation was performed for the macular edema secondary to hemi-central retinal vein occlusion. Because of the valsalva retinopathy was not limited to the pre-retinal and sub-hyaloid area, a week later the haemorrhages were spreaded widely to the macula and macular edema was settled. The visual acuity of the patient decreased to 3/10 snellen on the left and conservative treatment modality for the valsalva haemorrhagic retinopathy was replaced by the treatment of macular edema secondary to hemi-central retinal vein occlusion.
Results
The visual acuity of the patient is 10/10 on both eyes with complete resolution of macular edema for 2 months. Ghost vessels are seen on fundus examination and retinal haemorrhages are just about to resolve. These are seen in Figure 1. Bed rest and avoiding from valsalva maneuvers were adviced for lumbar disc herniation.
Discussion
Valsalva retinopathy is a unilateral or bilateral
condition which occurs by rupture of superficial retinal capillaries.
Heavy lifting, straining, coughing or vomiting may cause it. Valsalva
maneuvers typically result in superficial retinal
haemorrhages(sub-internal limiting membrane, subhyaloid) with a
predilection for the macula, but subretinal, retinal and vitreous
haemorrhages have been reported. The prognosis is variable, however
complete visual recovery is possible [4]
Some patients may develop a poor visual outcome due to the presumed
toxic effects of dense premacular haemorrhages on the retinal pigment
epithelium and/or epiretinal membrane formation. Nd-YAG laser puncture
of the posterior aspect of the vitreous may allow drainage of premacular
haemorrhage or vitrectomy may be performed in selected cases [4].
It may also managed conservatively with good outcomes. It may Valsalva
retinopathy is a self-limited condition. Recurrence of valsalva
retinopathy can be encountered if preventing any condition leading to
valsalva like stress is not succeeded [2].
Our patient did not know about the harmful effects of sneeze
prevention. A careful history is the key to the diagnosis. The prognosis
is good and patient needs to be counselled to avoid any such Valsalva
manoeuver like stress to prevent recurrence in future. Habits which are
against the physiology such as sneeze prevention may be harmful.
Patients should be careful in every physical activities which may induce
valsalva maneuver. Valsalva retinopathy may be seen as central or
hemi-central retinal vein occlusion.
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