Retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with coarctation of the aorta

K. J. Johns, J. A. Johns and S. S. Feman
Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2540.

Pulsatile three-dimensional retinal arteriolar tortuosity has been previously reported in about 50% of patients with coarctation of the aorta. In a contemporary series of 20 patients with coarctation of the aorta, none exhibited this characteristic retinal vascular abnormality. Our findings suggest that the retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with coarctation of the aorta represent secondary hemodynamic changes. The prevalence of these abnormalities may be decreasing because of earlier surgical repair of coarctation.