High-altitude retinopathy.

Abstract

To report a patient with high-altitude retinopathy. A 30-year-old man with high-altitude retinopathy was examined and treated. After spending 2 weeks at an altitude of 7,000 meters and then descending to sea level, the patient's visual acuity was RE, 20/20 and LE, 20/50. Intraretinal hemorrhages in both eyes and a scotoma in the left eye were found. Blood cell count was normal, but hematocrit had increased to 53%. The patient was treated with isovolemic hemodilution, pentoxifylline, and aspirin, which reduced hematocrit to 41%. Visual acuity and visual field returned to normal, and intraretinal hemorrhages resolved. High-altitude hemoconcentration should be treated in patients with high-altitude retinopathy.