Amniotic fluid embolism is a serious complication of pregnancy with a high
mortality. We present a 28-year-old healthy woman who underwent dilatation
and curettage for an elective abortion, followed by the sudden loss of visi
on in her left eye. Occlusion of one branch retinal arteriole was the initi
al finding of her left fundus, and two occlusions developed consecutively o
n the color fundus photographs, Fluorescein angiography demonstrated occlus
ions in three retinal arterioles among seven retinal arterioles originating
from the optic disc. These findings suggest that possible mechanisms of am
niotic fluid embolism are the unusual cause in retinal arteriolar occlusion
s, Here clinical course and ophthalmic findings are reviewed, and the relat
ionship between amniotic fluid embolism and retinal arteriolar occlusions i
s discussed,
Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.