Increased ocular pulse amplitude revealing aortic regurgitation.

PURPOSE: To report a case in which observation of increased ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) estimates in both eyes lead to a diagnosis of, and was presumably due to, aortic regurgitation.

DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

An incidental finding of high OPA estimates in both eyes lead to a finding of widened arterial pulse pressure and aortic regurgitation. OPA estimates were taken after aortic valve surgery when arterial pulse pressure was normal.

RESULTS

OPA estimates were 9 mm Hg in both eyes when arterial pulse pressure was high and 3 mm Hg in each eye when normal.

CONCLUSION

Widened arterial pulse pressure may lead to increased OPA.