Bilateral Exudative Retinal Detachment Complicating Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy in the Presence of Renal Failure

Abstract

We describe an elderly patient with chronic renal failure who developed bilateral exudative retinal detachments after initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy, followed by prompt resolution of the retinal detachments after the corticosteroids were discontinued. The medical record was examined and reviewed to document the clinical course, treatment, and therapeutic response. Two weeks after receiving systemic corticosteroids for deteriorating renal failure, the patient had painless bilateral visual loss. Rapid tapering of the corticosteroids concurrent with hemodialysis and subsequent improvement of renal failure resulted in resolution of the exudative retinal detachments. The right eye developed a 360-degree retinal pigment epithelial tear in the macula. Exudative retinal detachments may complicate systemic corticosteroid therapy.