Traumatic retinopathy resembling acute macular neuroretinopathy.

BACKGROUND

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMNR) is an uncommon disease of uncertain aetiology. We report on four males who developed unilateral changes following trauma which closely resembled acute macular retinopathy.

METHODS

Retrospective review of selected cases.

RESULTS

Four male patients developed a central or paracentral scotoma immediately or soon after an accident in which they suffered moderately severe bodily injury without direct ocular trauma. Vision was reduced in three patients. All four patients had characteristic well-circumscribed, dark macular lesions best seen using red-free light. The lesions cleared slowly in the two cases who returned for review.

CONCLUSIONS

A picture that closely resembles AMNR may be seen after trauma. The mechanism may involve a sudden rise in ocular venous pressure. This may be an unrecognized cause of visual loss after non-ocular trauma which may be regarded as functional. The subtle retinal lesions may be overlooked unless the fundi are examined in red-free light and the macular dark areas are compared.