Purtscher’s Retinopathy, a Rare Complication of Pancreatitis

Abstract

Introduction: Purtscher’s retinopathy or blindness due to pancreatitis is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To present the case of a patient who develops Purtscher’s retinopathy as a rare complication during acute pancreatitis.

Clinical case: 52-year-old female white-skinned patient without a previous history of medical conditions, admitted to the surgery service with a diagnosis of acute lithiasic pancreatitis, showing clinical, humoral and imaging elements characteristic of this entity. During her admission, she presented sudden vision loss. During her ophthalmological examination, she was diagnosed with Purtscher’s retinopathy. The condition disappeared at three months, after treatment with oral steroids.

Conclusions: Purtscher’s retinopathy is a rare ophthalmological complication of pancreatitis, a reason why this entity should be suspected in all patients diagnosed with pancreatitis and visual disturbances.