[Inferior branch retinal artery occlusion in a young adult revealing rheumatismal valvular disease].

INTRODUCTION

Inferior branch retinal artery occlusion is uncommon in young adults. Through a case report and data from the literature, we describe the clinical, fluorescein angiography, and progressive details of this disease.

CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old man suddenly presented superior scotoma in the left eye. He underwent a full ophthalmologic examination, which showed visual acuity limited to 5/10 P4 and ischemia of the inferior retina at the fundus exam. Fluorescein angiography of the left eye revealed delayed filling of the inferior branch retinal artery. The ophthalmologic exam of the right eye was normal.

RESULTS

The search for an etiologic explanation revealed double rheumatismal mitral and aortic valvular disease, which was referred to and treated in appropriate department. The condition has progressed slowly but favorably over 2 months, with visual acuity reaching 6/10 P3.

DISCUSSION: Branch retinal artery occlusion commonly occurs in older adults. When it happens to the young adult, it may be dangerous and often reveals cardiac embolic disease, particularly rheumatismal valvular disease.

CONCLUSION

Branch retinal artery occlusion in the young adult remains a rare and dangerous disease where the prognosis depends on the degree of artery repermeabilization and on the etiology of the thromboembolic disease.