Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine (Aug 2020)

An Unusual Presentation of Retinal Detachment and Conjunctivitis: A Case Report

  • Bailey Pierce,
  • Scott M. Alter,
  • Kyle Gerakopoulos,
  • Jeniel Parmar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.2020.7.48292
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 3

Abstract

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Introduction: Vision loss is an ophthalmologic emergency with broad differential requiring prompt medical attention. Case Report: We describe a 55-year-old male presenting to the emergency department (ED) with unilateral, painless visual field deficit with ipsilateral conjunctivitis induced by a presumed foreign body. The patient described a foreign body sensation nine days prior to developing visual changes. In the ED, the patient was diagnosed with a retinal detachment using point-of-care ultrasonography, and emergent ophthalmologic consultation was obtained. Conclusion: Concurrent retinal detachment and conjunctivitis in a patient is extremely rare. Healthcare providers should be aware that foreign body-induced conjunctivitis could lead to retinal detachment.