Central retinal vein occlusion and HELLP syndrome

Purpose: To present a rare case of central retinal vein occlusion in conjun ction with the HELLP syndrome. Methods: A 30-year-old woman presented in the 28th week of her second pregn ancy with severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome; delivery by caesarean s ection was recommended. Ten days later, the patient complained of severely decreased visual acuity in her right eye. Results: Ophthalmoscopy revealed a central retinal vein occlusion with veno us engorgement and tortuosity, multiple flame hemorrhages, and disc and mac ular edema. Electroretinography revealed a reduction of b-wave/a-wave ratio . Fluorescein-angiography showed a blockage due to extensive retinal hemorr hages with late mild staining of the walls of veins. The patient presented a spontaneous improvement in visual acuity (0.8 two months after) and a com plete resolution of ophthalmoscopic findings. Conclusion: Ophthalmic complications are possible during and soon after thi s syndrome. This is the first description of a patient suffering a central retinal vein occlusion during puerperium after the HELLP syndrome.