The eye: A lifesaver! An unusual case of Anemic Retinopathy secondary to Malnutrition and its recovery.

Abstract

A 22-year-old female was admitted with fever,disorientation and sudden decrease of vision in the emergency. Her evaluation showed tachycardia of 100/min and blood pressure of 90/70 with severe pallor. Her fundus examination showed findings of massive preretinal haemorrhage and Roth spots primarily restricted to the posterior pole. The ophthalmologist's findings were strongly suspicious of retinopathy associated with Haemoglobinopathies, blood tests revealed her to have a hemoglobin of 1.8 gm/dL and other reports suggestive of severe B12 and Folate deficiency. She also had systemic findings of gross anemia. After ruling out other causes of anemia she was finally diagnosed as a case of Megaloblastic anemia with decreased vision and retinopathy as a very noteworthy feature. She was treated with blood transfusions and B12 and Folate supplementation which showed a prompt response in the resolution of haemorrhages and once stable was discharged home.