Massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage in a young woman with cystic fibrosis and diabetes mellitus on anticoagulants.

PURPOSE: To report a case of massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage in a young woman with cystic fibrosis and proliferative diabetic retinopathy on anticoagulant therapy.

METHODS

Single case report.

RESULTS

A 24-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis and diabetes mellitus developed a massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage in the left eye after two months of warfarin therapy and recent treatment with heparin. Fundus examination and B-scan ultrasonography of the left eye revealed a hemorrhagic choroidal detachment. Elevated intraocular pressure was controlled with brimonidine, but four months later the left eye ceased to perceive light.

CONCLUSION

Massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SSCH) is a rare event that occurs almost exclusively in patients of advanced age. To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient with SSCH described in the literature. Regardless of age or other medical conditions, anticoagulant therapy appears to be a strong risk factor. SSCH carries a poor visual prognosis with or without surgical intervention.