Bilateral Serous Retinal Detachment as a Complication of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets Syndrome

Abstract

Preeclampsia is an obstetric disease of unknown cause that affects approximately 5% of pregnant women. The visual system may be affected with variable intensity. Bilateral, serous, nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a rare complication of toxaemia of pregnancy, and its pathogenesis is related to the choroidal ischemia secondary to an intense arteriolar vasospasm. In the vast majority of the cases, the detachment occurs concomitantly with hypertensive retinopathy. The majority of patients have a complete recovery of vision with clinical management and surgery is unnecessary. This is a case report of a 23-year-old patient who developed the severe form of preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome in her third pregnancy. She had progressive blurred vision, until she could see fingers up to 3 meter. Ophthalmic examination diagnosed bilateral retinal detachment. With blood pressure control at postpartum, the patient had her retina reattached, and recovery of vision.