Author(s)

Charles Geraud Fredy Nganga Ngabou^1,2*, Chantal Makita¹, Bénédicte Diatewa²

¹Teaching University Hospital of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
²Ophthalmology Clinics, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Valsalva retinopathy is caused by a sudden increase in intra-thoracic or abdominal pressure, following forced expiration, with mouth and nose closed (Valsalva maneuver). We report a case of Valsalva retinopathy in a pregnant woman. A 36 years old patient, pregnant at 24 weeks of amenorrhea, who consulted for sudden visual acuity decrease of the left eye, evolving since 24 hours after Valsalva maneuvers to calm down her panic and control her breathing. The refraction has demonstrated a decrease of visual acuity in the left eye to “can see a hand moving”, while the visual acuity remained normal in the right eye. Spontaneous evolution was marked by a fast and progressive reduction of hemorrhage and progressive recovery of vision in the left eye. Valsava retinopathy was first described in 1972 by Thomas Duane. Physical activity is usually found before it occurs. Many situations are usually associated to this occurrence among which: pregnancy, vomiting, weightlifting or trauma. Regression of this hemorrhage without sequelae is usual. But sometimes, we need a Nd:Yag laser treatment or surgery to evacuate the blood.

Valsalva Retinopathy, Pregnant Woman, Retinal Hemorrhage Macula

Nganga Ngabou, C. , Makita, C. and Diatewa, B. (2018) Hemorrhagic Valsalva Retinopathy in a Pregnant Woman. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine, 7, 85-89. doi: 10.4236/crcm.2018.72008.