This patient presented with superior commotio retinae after being hit in the eye with a bungee cord. The outer retinal opacification was best visualized on the Optos green channel. Vision was 20/30.
Fortunately, the retina findings completely resolved 3 weeks later.
Learning Points:
Commotio retinae follows direct blunt eye trauma. Large areas of peripheral commotio may be associated with an increased risk for retinal detachment.
In some cases, the photoreceptors are permanently damaged, allowing RPE cells to migrate into the retina along capillaries, giving a pseudo-retinitis pigmentosa appearance.
The term “Berlin’s edema” is a misnomer and should not be used, since the retina is not edematous.
