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Show Journal of Neuro- Ophlhalmology 191 J): 205- 206, 1999. © 1999 Lippincoll Williams & Wilkins, Inc., Philadelphia High Altitude Retinopathy Andrew G. Lee, MD, Alfonso E. Aldama, MD, and Richard L. Harper, MD Two previously healthy white male neurosurgeons ( AEA, RLH) ages 40 and 43 years old returned to Houston after mountain climbing January 30, 1989, on Mount Aconcagua in the Andes mountain range of Argentina Manuscript accepted May 26, 1999. From the Departments of Ophthalmology ( AGL), Neurology ( AGL), and Neurosurgery ( AGL, AEA, RLH), the M. D. Anderson Cancel- Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas. This work was supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., New York, New York. Address correspondence to Dr. Andrew G. Lee, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin Street, NC- 205, Houston, TX 77030. ( the highest point in the Western hemisphere). Ophthalmologic examinations before the trip were entirely normal. Retinal photographs taken 8 days after exposure at the altitude of 6,986 meters ( Figs. 1 and 2) revealed asymptomatic retinal hemorrhages consistent with high-altitude retinopathy. The remainder of the ophthalmologic examination was normal in both individuals. Serial ophthalmoscopic examinations revealed gradual resolution of the intraretinal hemorrhages without ocular sequelae. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head was normal in both patients. Butler et al. prospectively performed comprehensive eye examinations and fundus photography at sea level before and after 6 weeks of FIG. 1. Fundus photograph of the left eye in climber one with peripapillary flame hemorrhages. 206 A. G. LEE ET AL. FIG. 2. Optic disc photography of the right eye of climber two with intraretinal hemorrhages inferiorly. exposure to altitudes from 5,300 to 8,200 meters. Asymptomatic intraretinal hemorrhages were found in five eyes of four climbers. An additional eye in one climber had a central retinal vein occlusion with a vitreous hemorrhage and count fingers visual acuity. Higher baseline intraocular pressure and the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications were found to be significant risk factors for altitude retinopathy ( 1). REFERENCES 1. Butler FK, Harris DJ Jr, Reynolds RD. Altitude retinopathy on Mount Everest. Ophthalmology 1992; 99: 73< M- 6. .1 Neiim- Ophlhalmal, Vol. 19, No. J. 1999 |
