G. Walters et Tr. Dabbs, MALIGNANT HYPERTENSION PRESENTING AS BLURRED VISION IN A 43 YEAR-OLD INTRAVENOUS DRUG-ABUSER, Journal of accident & emergency medicine, 14(3), 1997, pp. 182-183
A 43 year old intravenous drug abuser presented to the accident and em
ergency department with a three week history of bilateral visual loss
and frontal headaches. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral retinal cotton wo
ol spots and haemorrhages and an ophthalmic opinion was requested. His
blood pressure was subsequently found to be 210/140. A diagnosis of m
alignant hypertension was made and blood pressure was gradually contro
lled on oral antihypertensives. This case illustrates the importance o
f checking the blood pressure of all patients presenting with visual l
oss.