Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis during treatment of hyperprolactinaemia

Background Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE) is a rare, idiopathic and self-limiting disease. The article aims to present ARPE in a patient using D2 dopamine receptor agonists for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Case presentation A 28-year-old female during hyperprolactinaemia treatment suffered from a dyschromatopsia and a central visual field defect in the left eye. She noticed a deterioration of vision and discontinued the cabergoline administration. The woman had not been diagnosed with other chronic conditions and exhibited no symptoms of infection. Upon admission, the patient was subjected to a test for COVID-19, which was negative. The ophthalmological examination revealed a decrease in visual acuity to distance in the left eye, which amounted to 18/20 on the Snellen chart. A central scotoma was noted on the Amsler chart and a loss of pigment epithelium was visible on the fundus of the left eye. Fluorescein angiography showed a discrete window defect in the left one, with no signs of leakage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the maculae revealed a characteristic change in the photoreceptor layer and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the fovea in the left eye. The electrophysiological tests revealed decreased function of cells in macular region. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and orbits demonstrated an asymmetric pituitary gland without chiasm compression and discrete signal enhancement from the left optic nerve. The patient underwent observation during hospitalisation. She reported improved colour vision and a decreased scotoma in the centre of her visual field. In regular outpatient follow-ups, successive improvements in visual acuity, as well as a decreased RPE damage and outer photoreceptor layer loss during an OCT test were observed. Conclusions A case of ARPE is reported in a patient taking medications for hyperprolactinemia. The role of dopamine receptor antagonists in the photoreceptor function and causation of ARPE needs further evaluation.