Retinitis sclopetaria in blast injury

Abstract

A 52-year-old male presented with decreased vision in his left eye for 1.5 years after he suffered from a blast injury at his workplace in a chemical factory. Clinical examination revealed no systemic abnormality; however, ocular evaluation of the left eye showed traumatic mydriasis of the pupil and fundus examination showed multiple choroidal ruptures with extensive scar formation and widespread pigmentary alteration, causing a distinctive pattern of retinitis sclopetaria. Closed globe injury, especially blast injury, which has a high velocity causes a typical pattern of retinal findings. Our patient did not develop retinal detachment even after 1.5 years of trauma; however, macular involvement caused poor vision and prognosis. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography did not reveal any abnormal choroidal neovascularization. Retinitis sclopetaria is an uncommon entity, and long-term clinical outcomes are not well reported. In this report, we would like to discuss the clinical features seen after a long-standing trauma, injury mechanism, suggested treatment, and prognosis.

Keywords

• Blast injury
• choroidal rupture
• retinitis sclopetaria
• traumatic chorioretinitis