Occlusions of branch retinal arterioles following amniotic fluid embolism.

Amniotic fluid embolism is a serious complication of pregnancy with a high mortality. We present a 28-year-old healthy woman who underwent dilatation and curettage for an elective abortion, followed by the sudden loss of vision in her left eye. Occlusion of one branch retinal arteriole was the initial finding of her left fundus, and two occlusions developed consecutively on the color fundus photographs. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated occlusions in three retinal arterioles among seven retinal arterioles originating from the optic disc. These findings suggest that possible mechanisms of amniotic fluid embolism are the unusual cause in retinal arteriolar occlusions. Here clinical course and ophthalmic findings are reviewed, and the relationship between amniotic fluid embolism and retinal arteriolar occlusions is discussed. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.