Pallid Disc Oedema in a Young Patient: Clinical and Diagnostic Challenge

ABSTRACT

A mid-thirties male with end-stage renal failure receiving haemodialysis on a background of four failed renal transplants, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder,and autonomic dysfunction presented with acute vision change in his left eye. Over days his vision in that eye deteriorated from 20/25 to no light perception. Given his complex medical background he was extensively investigated for infective, inflammatory, infiltrative and vasculitic aetiologies to explain acute vision loss with pallid disc swelling. A final diagnosis of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy secondary to refractive hypotension and haemodialysis was reached.

KEYWORDS:

• Optic neuropathy
• pallid disc oedema
• renal failure
• haemodialysis