Radiation retinopathy: a mistaken diagnosis of hypertensive retinopathy

Abstract

Radiation retinopathy is a vision‐threatening complication following therapeutic irradiation of ocular, orbital, facial, nasopharyngeal and cranial structures. It is characterised by a delayed onset, slowly progressive, occlusive retinal microangiopathy that develops several years after initial radiotherapy.

We present the case of a 44‐year‐old man who developed radiation retinopathy, initially diagnosed as a case of hypertensive retinopathy, following irradiation of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A careful history along with classical clinical features and fundus fluorescein angiography helped establish the diagnosis.

Key words:

• hypertensive retinopathy
• radiation
• retinopathy