Retinal Edema Secondary to Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

This report presents 2 cases of retinal lesions which disappeared with cessation of oral contraceptives reappeared when the medication was resumed and again regressed when therapy was stopped. The first case a 21-year-old patient complained of blurriness of vision in her right eye of 3-weeks duration. She had been taking C-Quens for 1 month for dysmenorrhea. Examination found a 1 disc-diameter retinal edema in the right eye and a scotoma. C-Quens were discontinued and no other therapy given. After 3 weeks symptoms had diappeared and the retina was normal. After resuming C-Quens for 2 weeks the blurriness recurred. Retinal edema was again present in the same area as before and a similar scotoma was present. The drug was discontinued after 2 weeks symptoms disappeared and all retinal findings were normal. Permanent avoidance of C-Squens was recommended. A 26-year-old patient who had received 50 mg daily of Enovid for 13 months for dymenorrhea complained of blurred vision in her right eye of 2 weeks duration. An area of retinal edema was found and a small scotoma was present. The Enovid was discontinued and within 10 days findings were normal. Enovid was restarted within another 10 days symptoms reappeared; it was stopped within a week findings were normal. Later the patient took another oral contraceptive (Ortho-Novum). After 3 months ophthalmoscopy showed normal fundi. Results are considered presumptive evidence that the retinal findings were due to the oral contraceptive involved.