[Retinal vein occlusion in a young patient: Where does intraocular hypertension come from?]

BACKGROUND

Retinal vein occlusion presents as an acute, painless and unilateral sight loss. We report two cases of retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in which the etiology was unusual.

METHODS

Case 1. A 54-year-old woman without any significant past medical history presented with an acute loss of vision. Medical history taking revealed the practice of yoga with headstand posture like "Sirsana". Case 2. A 35-year-old woman presented with an acute loss of vision related to a retinal vein occlusion. The investigation found prolonged and repeated vomiting the days before the retinal vein occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular assessment is recommended in the investigation of CRVO. Furthermore, especially in young patients, a situation causing an increase of intraocular pressure as the practice of yoga with taking reverse "head down" body positions or even repeated vomiting efforts may be the cause of slower circulation of blood flow in the retinal veins.