Rare Case of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Causing Retrobulbar Hemorrhage

Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is defined as a platelet count lower than 100 × 10ˆ9/L, in the absence of known abnormalities in white blood cells, normal hemoglobin with generalized purpuric rash: making it a diagnosis of exclusion.1-2 ITP is due to destruction of platelets in the spleen via autoantibodies, resulting in reduced platelet counts.3 Though rare, ITP is linked with spontaneous retrobulbar hemorrhage (SRH). If ITP is identified, prompt treatment is needed to prevent loss of vision. An 80-year-old non-smoking woman with a history of diabetes, hypertension, and alpha thalassemia minor presented with a one-day history of a right occipital lobe headache and right sided ocular dysfunction. Workup showed a very low platelet count of 35,000/mm