Valsalva retinopathy induced by labour

PURPOSE. To describe a patient with Valsalva retinopathy induced by labour. METHODS. Case report. RESULTS. A 29-year-old woman at her second pregnancy complained of a sudden loss of vision in her left eye during spontaneous labour. Visual acuity was reduced to counting fingers. Funduscopy revealed a large preretinal hemorrhage at the macula in the left eye. Three weeks after delivery, the hematoma was treated with Nd:YAG laser. Two weeks after treatment, visual acuity was 20/20 and the premacular hemorrhage had resolved. CONCLUSIONS. A rise in intra-abdominal pressure during labour may result in Valsalva retinopathy. Nd:YAG laser may be useful in treating such hemorrhage.