BILATERAL EXUDATIVE RETINAL-DETACHMENT COMPLICATING SYSTEMIC CORTICOSTEROID-THERAPY IN THE PRESENCE OF RENAL-FAILURE

PURPOSE: We describe an elderly patient with chronic renal failure who developed bilateral exudative retinal detachments after initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy, followed by prompt resolution of the retinal detachments after the corticosteroids were discontinued. METH ODS: The medical record was examined and reviewed to document the clin ical course, treatment, and therapeutic response. RESULTS: Two weeks a fter receiving systemic corticosteroids for deteriorating renal failur e, the patient had painless bilateral visual loss. Rapid tapering of t he corticosteroids concurrent with hemodialysis and subsequent improve ment of renal failure resulted in resolution of the exudative retinal detachments. The right eye developed a 360-degree retinal pigment epit helial tear in the macula. CONCLUSION: Exudative retinal detachments m ay complicate systemic corticosteroid therapy.