Bilateral maculopathy simulating 'cherry-red spot' in a patient with Crohn's disease

Br J Ophthalmol. 1981 Mar;65(3):184-8. doi: 10.1136/bjo.65.3.184.

Abstract

A 23-year-old man suffering from Crohn's disease developed a bilateral maculopathy simulating 'cherry-red spot' with vision impairment and normal electroretinogram during total parenteral hyperalimentation, when copper and zinc serum levels were considerably decreased. The maculopathy rapidly subsided after cessation of the parenteral hyperalimentation and the addition of cooper and zinc. The cause of this maculopathy may be ocular involvement as part of the systemic disease owing to storage of the supplementary free amines and intravenous lipids, and the deficiency of zinc and copper.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Copper / blood
  • Crohn Disease / blood
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Crohn Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Macula Lutea / pathology
  • Male
  • Parenteral Nutrition, Total
  • Retinal Diseases / blood
  • Retinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Retinal Diseases / pathology
  • Scotoma / etiology
  • Zinc / blood

Substances

  • Copper
  • Zinc