Bilateral central retinal vein occlusion in Eisenmenger syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral central retinal vein occlusion in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome.

METHODS

Case report. A 60-year-old woman with Eisenmenger syndrome secondary to a congenital ventricular septal defect presented with a 2-week history of decreased vision in both eyes.

RESULTS

Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral central retinal vein occlusion. Laboratory findings included hematocrit of 50.3% and pO(2) of 52 mm Hg while on O(2) 5 L/min per nasal cannula, despite having undergone phlebotomy 2 weeks earlier.

CONCLUSION

Chronic hypoxia caused by Eisenmenger syndrome may result in polycythemia with resultant hyperviscosity and bilateral central retinal vein occlusion.