Hepatic cortical blindness

Am J Med Sci. 2022 Oct;364(4):492-498. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2022.04.034. Epub 2022 May 17.

Abstract

Hepatic cortical blindness is an unusual clinical complication of hepatic encephalopathy, and its epidemiology has not been studied in detail. Herein, we present a case report of a 37-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and immunoglobulin A nephropathy who noted visual impairment after eating high-protein food. In addition to the case report, all previously documented cases of hepatic cortical blindness occurring across the globe published from inception until August 2019 were reviewed. The incidence of hepatic cortical blindness is low, and diagnoses are easily missed. The diagnosis of hepatic cortical blindness is dependent on symptoms, and patients may experience several attacks of vision loss. Most patients experience complete blindness, but vision loss recovers within 10 min to one month. Early detection and therapy for hepatic encephalopathy may improve patient outcome.

Keywords: Case reports; Chronic liver failure; Cortical blindness; Hepatic encephalopathy; Review literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blindness, Cortical* / complications
  • Blindness, Cortical* / etiology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Male
  • Vision Disorders / complications