Acute retinal necrosis following epidural steroid injections.

PURPOSE: To report a side effect of epidural corticosteroid injections for back pain.

DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

Review of clinical charts and photographs.

SETTING

Private retina practice.

RESULTS

Two patients developed acute retinal necrosis syndrome following epidural corticosteroid injections for back pain. Referral was delayed in one patient. One patient developed bilateral secondary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and both developed secondary macular pucker.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute retinal necrosis can follow epidural corticosteroid injections. Patients should be warned about this possibility and advised to report should photopsias, photosensitivity, blurred vision, or new floaters develop after treatment. Orthopedists should be aware of the complication and promptly refer patients with symptoms for dilated fundus examination by an ophthalmologist.