HIGH-ALTITUDE RETINOPATHY

PURPOSE: To report a patient with high-altitude retinopathy. METHODS: A 30 year old man with high altitude retinopathy was examined and trea ted. RESULTS: After spending 2 weeks at an altitude of 7,000 meters an d 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 hematocr it had increased to 53%. The patient was treated with isovolemic hemod ilution, pentoxifylline, and aspirin, which reduced hematocrit to 41%, Visual acuity and visual field returned to normal, and intraretinal h emorrhages resolved. CONCLUSION: High altitude hemoconcentration shoul d be treated in patients with high altitude retinopathy.