Carbon monoxide retinopathy
L. S. Ferguson, M. J. Burke and E. A. Choromokos
We recently examined three family members with acute carbon monoxide
intoxication resulting from a single accidental exposure--a stepfather with
a normal fundus, a mother with scattered superficial retinal hemorrhages,
and her child with multiple large subinternal limiting membrane
hemorrhages, peripapillary hemorrhages, severe venous tortuosity, and disc
edema. All three had comparable carboxyhemoglobin levels and no evidence of
hypertension, diabetes, or anemia. The different fundus presentations
illustrated the variable clinical manifestations of carbon monoxide
retinopathy. Early detection could prevent a lethal outcome.
