High-Altitude Retinopathy

Thirty-nine healthy subjects were examined before and after a stay at 5,360 m by ophthalmoscopy and by retinal photography. Twenty of them were also tested for visual acuity, scotomata, and capillary leakage. Vascular engorgement and tortuosity and disc hyperemia were seen in all subjects at altitude and are a "normal" response to hypoxia. Twenty-two (56%) of the subjects had retinal hemorrhages and one showed "cotton-wool spots". These changes …