Purtscher's retinopathy due to safety belts

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report one case of Purtscher's retinopathy related to chest compression by safety belts during motor vehicle accident. METHODS: A 31 old year man was referred to our ophthalmologic department because of diminished vision in the left eye at 6 days after motor vehicle accident. Best uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was right eye 1.0 and left eye 0.5. RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was both 1.0. In the left fundus there was multiple cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages and macular edema. At 15 days after accident, multiple cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages still be seen. Fluorescein angiography showed capillary nonperfusions and blocked fluorescence by retinal hemorrhages in the arteriovenous phase, leakage of dye in the region of capillary nonperfusion in the late venous phase. At 58 days after accident, multiple cotton wool spots remarkably decreased, however vision remained as 0.2. At 78 days after accident, left eye vision improved to 0.5. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggested to consider a safety belt injury as the cause of Purtscher's retinopathy.