Carbon Monoxide Retinopathy

Abstract

We recently examined three family members with acute carbon monoxide intoxication resulting from a single accidental exposure--a stepfather with a normal fundus, a mother with scattered superficial retinal hemorrhages, and her child with multiple large subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhages, peripapillary hemorrhages, severe venous tortuosity, and disc edema. All three had comparable carboxyhemoglobin levels and no evidence of hypertension, diabetes, or anemia. The different fundus presentations illustrated the variable clinical manifestations of carbon monoxide retinopathy. Early detection could prevent a lethal outcome.