Cryoglobulinemia revealed by a Purtscher-like retinopathy

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the importance of collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists. DESIGN: Cryoglobulinemia is a systemic vascularite. Ophthalmologic complications are rare and not well known. Purtscher-like retinopathy may occur in this context. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a patient who presented a severe visual loss in the course of a hepatitis C. The ophthalmic examination shows a both ischemic and hemorrhagic bilateral retinopathy called Purtscher-like retinopathy. Cryoglobulinemia complicating a hepatitis C was discovered in our patient. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates a cryoglobulinemia complicating by a Purtscher-like retinopathy. The diagnosis has been possible thanks to collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists. We propose a few hypotheses to explain retinopathy pathogeny.