Reversible Blindness in Severe Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

ABSTRACT

Visual disturbances are common with severe preeclampsia, however, blindness either alone or accompanying convulsions is uncommon. Most women with varying degree of amaurosis are found to have radiographic evidence of extensive occipital lobe hypodensities.In this case report, we present the clinical course of two women in whom preeclampsia was further complicated by blindness. These were managed by standard pre eclampsia- eclampsia regimen used at our hospital which includes Diazepam /Phenytoin therapy to control seizures, nifedipine to lower elevated blood pressure, intravenous fluid restriction and termination of pregnancy. Abnormal findings in these women were seen by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging technique. CT demonstrated low density areas localized predominantly in occipital area. Blindness persisted from 24 hrs to 72 hrs, it subsequently resolved completely in both.