Acute bilateral macular oedema secondary to hypoalbuminaemia in a patient with type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease

Abstract

Macular oedema is a serious sight-threatening type of retinopathy which results from hyperpermeability of retinal vasculature with subsequent formation of macular oedema. Various ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic disorders are known to precipitate the condition leading to visual loss; untreated this could lead to permanent loss of vision. Among the systemic disorders, diabetes is the most common aetiology. Vasculitis, various drugs and hypoalbuminaemia are also known to cause macular oedema. We describe a patient with type 1 diabetes and background retinopathy who developed acute bilateral macular oedema resulting from severe hypoalbuminaemia due to coeliac disease. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons.