Reversible cortical blindness in preeclampsia

PURPOSE: To report the clinical course and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 28 year-old woman with preeclampsia and reversible cortical blindness. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: The patient presented at the 37th week of pregnancy with headache and hypertension. The next day, her visual acuity decreased to light perception in both eyes. After emergent cesarean section, examination revealed reactive pupils and normal fundi. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed areas of increased signal in both occipital lobes. One month later, at which time the patient's visual acuity had returned to 20/20, follow-up MRI showed complete resolution of radiologic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical blindness is a rare complication of preeclampsia. In this case, cortical blindness was reversible and most likely due to vasogenic edema rather than vasospasm.