Acute onset of decreased vision after violently vomiting: A case report

Abstract

Purpose

Reported cases of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) associated with violent vomiting are scarce all over the world. In this case, we reported a male patient with an acute decreased vision right after violently vomiting.

Methods

A 55-year-old male patient found himself with a sudden, painless decline in visual acuity in his left eye (LE) after violently vomiting due to alcohol consumption for 1 day. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/2000 in the LE. He has a history of moderate myopia in both eyes and well-controlled hypertension. After evaluating multimodal images, non-ischemic CRVO retinopathy was diagnosed.

Results

During the follow-up period, the patient's BCVA in the LE improved to 20/40 and the ocular examination data confirmed that the previous abnormal performances were nearly back to normal without any treatment.

Conclusion

Non-ischemic CRVO retinopathy following violent vomiting suggests that vomiting-related mechanisms like Valsalva maneuvers and dehydration may contribute to CRVO through effects on ocular blood flow and thrombosis.