Central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient following cannabis smoke inhalation

Purpose: To report a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following cannabis smoke inhalation in a young patient. Methods: An otherwise healthy 18-year-old man without risk factors for retinal vein occlusion presented with reduced visual acuity (20/200) secondary to CRVO following cannabis smoke inhalation. Central retinal vein occlusion was diagnosed on the basis of slit-lamp fundus biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography. Results: Tests for systemic causes were negative. Following one intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) and one ranibizumab injection (Lucentis), functional (20/20 visual acuity) and anatomic improvement was recorded. Fluorescein angiography showed a decrease in the vascular caliber and tortuosity, with no signs of retinal ischemia or edema. Conclusions: We report CRVO in a young adult following cannabis smoke inhalation. Its occurrence immediately after cannabis smoking further supports a link between the use of cannabis and vascular alterations.