Peripheral retinal neovascularization in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea

Ravin Sajnani; Elena Karapetian; Abhinav Golla; Irena Tsui; David Sarraf

American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports (Jun 2022)

Peripheral retinal neovascularization in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea

Ravin Sajnani,
Elena Karapetian,
Abhinav Golla,
Irena Tsui,
David Sarraf

Affiliations

Ravin Sajnani: Stein Eye Institute, University of California - Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
Elena Karapetian: Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
Abhinav Golla: Stein Eye Institute, University of California - Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
Irena Tsui: Stein Eye Institute, University of California - Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
David Sarraf: Stein Eye Institute, University of California - Los Angeles, 100 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA; Corresponding author. Stein Eye Institute, 100 Stein Plaza Driveway, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 26
p. 101498

Abstract

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Purpose: To describe a case of peripheral retinal neovascularization and its possible etiological connection to comorbid obstructive sleep apnea. Observations: In this case report we describe a diabetic patient with obstructive sleep apnea who presented with bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization but in the absence of any other evidence of diabetic retinopathy. Aside from confirmed nocturnal hypoxia and reasonably controlled diabetes mellitus, etiological investigation was otherwise unrevealing. Conclusions and Importance: In the absence of typical findings for diabetic retinopathy, nocturnal hypoxia due to obstructive sleep apnea may be a contributing factor in the development of peripheral retinal neovascularization. There may be a role for more vigilant OSA screening in patients with peripheral retinal neovascularization as treatment with positive airway pressure devices may reduce the retinal hypoxic burden.

Published in American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports

ISSN: 2451-9936 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Ophthalmology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/american-journal-of-ophthalmology-case-reports/

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