Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Associated with Thyroid Ophthalmopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the first case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in association with thyroid ophthalmopathy. METHODS: A 40-year-old woman was came to the ophthalmologic clinic due to conjunctival injection, lid swelling and decreased visual acuity in the left eye. She was ill with hyperthyroidism and was recovered completely. At the first visit, best corrected visual acuity of her left eye was 0.3. The left eye showed proptosis, episcleral vessel dilation, and moderate limitation of ocular movement. Orbit MRI revealed the enlargement of extraocular muscles. Fundus examination showed diffuse retinal hemorrhages with macular edema and retinal veins were dilated and tortuous. Fluorescein angiogram showed the diffuse leakage from the retinal vessels on the posterior pole, but nonperfusion area was not seen. RESULTS: One month after the first visit, best corrected visual acuity of her left eye was improved to 0.6. Proptosis and limitation of ocular movement was improved, and retinal hemorrhages with macular edema were decreased remarkably. CONCLUSIONS: Possible retinal vascular complications such as CRVO may occur in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy. Therefore, in these cases, fundus examination along with other ophthalmologic examinations are necessary.