Macular optical coherence tomography findings following blunt ocular trauma

Dilys Oladiwura,¹ Lik Thai Lim,¹ Elliott Yann Ah-kee,² James Angus Scott<sup>3

1</sup>Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Gartnavel General Hospital (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Trust), Glasgow, UK; ²University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; ³Falkirk Community Hospital (Forth Valley NHS Trust), Falkirk, UK

Abstract: This case report describes the optical coherence tomography (OCT) results of Berlin’s edema in a male subject following blunt ocular trauma from a soccer ball. A 27-year-old male presented with blurred vision in his left eye following blunt trauma. On admission, he underwent a complete eye examination and an OCT of the macula. Fundoscopy revealed commotio retinae, observed as an abnormal cream-colored discoloration of the fovea. The OCT showed outer photoreceptor segment disruption, retinal pigment epithelium inter-digitation, and intra-retinal edema of the outer nuclear layer. Following initial management, a repeat OCT after 3 months showed near complete resolution. OCT can be a useful adjunct for monitoring the progress of Berlin’s edema secondary to blunt ocular trauma because Berlin’s edema may present similarly clinically to other ocular trauma, but can affect different layers of the retina depending on the type of injury to the eye.

Keywords: Berlin’s edema, commotio retinae, optical coherence tomography, OCT, ocular trauma