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Valsalva retinopathy

AI overview

Valsalva retinopathy is a form of retinopathy due to retinal bleeding secondary to rupture of retinal vessels caused by intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure due to physical activities.

Key points
  • It is caused by rupture of retinal vessels due to increased intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure from physical activities.
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    rupture of retinal vessels caused by intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure due to physical activities
  • It was first described in 1972 by American ophthalmologist Thomas D. Duane.
    source quote
    Valsalva retinopathy was first described in 1972 by American ophthalmologist Thomas D. Duane
  • There is no specific age, gender or racial preference noted in the medical literature as of 2022.
    source quote
    there is currently no specific age, gender or racial preference noted for this retinopathy in the medical literature
Symptoms
  • The main symptom is painless sudden loss of vision.
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    The main symptom of valsalva retinopathy is painless sudden loss of vision
  • Other symptoms include sudden-onset floaters, central or paracentral visual field defects, and nausea from increased intraocular pressure.
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    Sudden-onset floaters and central or paracentral visual field defects and nausea resulting from increased intraocular pressure are other symptoms
Diagnosis
  • Patients may have a history of sudden vision loss after strenuous physical activity.
    source quote
    Patients may have a history of sudden vision loss after a strenuous physical activity
  • Physical examination and eye examination are needed for diagnosis.
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    Physical examination and eye examination is needed for diagnosis of valsalava retinopathy
  • OCT scanning can be used to identify the location of the bleeding.
    source quote
    OCT scanning can be used to identify the location of the bleeding
Treatment
  • It usually resolves within weeks to months without complications depending on location and extent of bleeding.
    source quote
    valsalva retinopathy usually resolves within weeks to months, without any complications
  • Patients should avoid anticoagulant drugs and physical activities that increase intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure.
    source quote
    Patients are instructed to avoid anticoagulant drugs and physical activities which cause increase in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure
  • Nd:YAG laser or argon laser membranotomy may be advised for speedy recovery.
    source quote
    sometimes Nd:YAG laser or argon laser membranotomy may be advised
Red flags
  • Vitreous hemorrhage is one of the main complications.
    source quote
    One of the main complications of valsalva retinopathy is vitreous hemorrhage
Prognosis

Usually resolves within weeks to months without complications, depending on the location and extent of the bleeding.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Valsalva retinopathy”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Valsalva retinopathy
SpecialtyOphthalmology, Optometry
ComplicationsVitreous hemorrhage
CausesIntrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure, Valsalva manoeuvre[1]
Diagnostic methodOphthalmoscopy

Valsalva retinopathy is a form of retinopathy due to retinal bleeding secondary to rupture of retinal vessels caused by intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure due to physical activities.

The main symptom of valsalva retinopathy is painless sudden loss of vision.[2] Sudden-onset floaters and central or paracentral visual field defects and nausea resulting from increased intraocular pressure are other symptoms.[1][3][4]

Complications

One of the main complications of valsalva retinopathy is vitreous hemorrhage.[5]

Valsalva retinopathy is a form of sub-retinal, sub-hyaloid or sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage occur due to rupture of retinal vessels caused by a strenuous physical activity.[1] Physical exertion like weight lifting and aerobic exercise, coughing, sneezing, straining at stool, vomiting, sexual intercourse, pregnancy,[6] asthma,[3] blowing up balloons, blowing musical instruments, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or compression injuries may cause sudden increase in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure may lead to rupture of superficial retinal blood vessels.[7] A sudden increase in venous pressure due to intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure cause the small perifoveal capillaries of retina to rupture, leading to premacular hemorrhage of varying intensity.[5]

Patients may have a history of sudden vision loss after a strenuous physical activity. Physical examination and eye examination is needed for diagnosis of valsalava retinopathy. OCT scanning can be used to identify the location of the bleeding.[7]

Depending on the location and extent of the bleeding, valsalva retinopathy usually resolves within weeks to months, without any complications.[7] Patients are instructed to avoid anticoagulant drugs and physical activities which cause increase in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure.[7] For a speedy recovery, sometimes Nd:YAG laser or argon laser membranotomy may be advised.[8]

As of 2022, there is currently no specific age, gender or racial preference noted for this retinopathy in the medical literature.[2]

Valsalva retinopathy was first described in 1972 by American ophthalmologist Thomas D. Duane.[7]

  1. 1 2 3 Rajshri, Hirawat; Krishnappa, Nagesha C.; Sharma, Unnatti; Ganne, Pratyusha (1 March 2021). "Long-standing Valsalva retinopathy". BMJ Case Reports. 14 (3) e240812. doi:10.1136/bcr-2020-240812. ISSN 1757-790X. PMC 7938996. PMID 33674301. S2CID 232129854.
  2. 1 2 Simakurthy, Sriram; Tripathy, Koushik (2022-02-21). "Valsalva Retinopathy". StatPearls. PMID 31424803.
  3. 1 2 "Valsalva Retinopathy: Vision loss after asthma attack".
  4. ↑ "Ocular Manifestations Of Valsalva Maneuver". Clinical and Refractive Optometry.
  5. 1 2 Salmon JF (13 December 2019). "Retinal vascular disease". Kanski's clinical ophthalmology: a systematic approach (9th ed.). Elsevier. p. 549. ISBN 978-0-7020-7711-1.
  6. ↑ Al-Mujaini, Abdullah S.; Montana, Carolina C. (7 April 2008). "Valsalva retinopathy in pregnancy: a case report". Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2 (1): 101. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-101. ISSN 1752-1947. PMC 2311321. PMID 18394189. S2CID 10134512.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Valsalva Retinopathy - EyeWiki". eyewiki.aao.org. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  8. ↑ Ophthalmology (Fifth ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. 2019. p. 681. ISBN 978-0-323-52820-7.