High altitude retinal hemorrhages--an update

Retinal hemorrhages represent a common phenomenon in eyes of high altitude climbers. In this review, we present an update about this entity, with focus on its pathophysiology and practical implications. Due to their delayed appearance in the course of an expedition, retinal hemorrhages are not predi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHigh altitude medicine & biology Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 240
Main Authors Bosch, Martina M, Barthelmes, Daniel, Landau, Klara
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2012
Subjects
Altitude
Altitude Sickness - complications
Altitude Sickness - diagnosis
Humans
Hypoxia - complications
Incidence
Mountaineering
Retinal Hemorrhage - epidemiology
Retinal Hemorrhage - etiology
Retinal Hemorrhage - physiopathology
Retinal Hemorrhage - therapy
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Summary:Retinal hemorrhages represent a common phenomenon in eyes of high altitude climbers. In this review, we present an update about this entity, with focus on its pathophysiology and practical implications. Due to their delayed appearance in the course of an expedition, retinal hemorrhages are not predictive when assessing the risk for life-threatening complications related to hypobaric hypoxia. Consequences for ocular health depend greatly on the extent and localization of retinal bleedings, but are generally mild and reversible in healthy eyes.
ISSN:1557-8682
DOI:10.1089/ham.2012.1077