High-Altitude Retinopathy and Optical Coherence Tomography Findings

Abstract

Purpose: To report the case and OCT findings of a case of high altitude retinopathy (HAR).

Methods: Case report and review of literature.

Results: HAR is part of the clinical syndrome of high altitude illness, which includes acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral edema. A patient presented with decreased vision and HAR after ascending to an elevation of 24,757 feet. Associated optical coherence tomography findings and review of the literature are presented.

Conclusions: HAR is an important entity to recognize, as it is associated with life-threatening high-altitude cerebral edema.

KEYWORDS::

• acute mountain sickness
• high altitude retinopathy
• high altitude illness
• high altitude cerebral edema
• retinal hemorrhages

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Declaration of Interest: Funded in part by Leir Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.