Valsalva Retinopathy in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

MD, a 24-year old female of African descent in her third trimester of pregnancy, presented upon referral from her family physician with an 18-hour history of dark floating spot m her left eye. Her history was significant for violent vomiting immediately preceding the onset of visual symptoms. General and ocular health history was otherwise unremarkable. Clinical examination showed central vitreous hemorrhaging in the absence of any other ophthalmic anomaly, consistent with a diagnosis of Valsalva retinopathy. Over the subsequent several months, which included the uncomplicated birth of her healthy child, the hemorrhaging resolved withou1 sequelae.