Optical coherence tomography findings of acute traumatic maculopathy following motor vehicle accident

Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Feb;143(2):348-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2006.09.024. Epub 2006 Oct 23.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe two cases of acute traumatic maculopathy using optical coherence tomography (OCT) following high-speed motor vehicle accidents.

Design: Case reports.

Methods: Patients were examined soon after the accident using Snellen visual acuity (VA), dilated fundus examination, and OCT. Re-examination was conducted two weeks to one month later.

Results: Both patients experienced an immediate reduction in VA of between 20/120 and 20/200. An abnormal yellow foveal reflex was noted at fundus examination in both cases. OCT revealed outer retinal thickening under the fovea and of the neurosensory retina with preservation of the inner retinal architecture and foveal pit. These OCT changes resolved approximately within two weeks of the accidents with near resolution of the visual disturbance in both cases.

Conclusions: We describe two cases of acute traumatic maculopathy, including its appearance on OCT imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic*
  • Accommodation, Ocular
  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological*
  • Eye Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Eye Injuries / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retina / injuries*
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods*
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis
  • Visual Acuity