Citation

Archer DB, Earley OE, Page AB, Johnston PB. Eye 1988; 2(6): 650-659.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3256504

Abstract

Three patients who were involved in road traffic accidents and sustained seat belt related injuries developed a retinal angiopathy characterised by retinal haemorrhage, oedema and focal ischaemia. Significant unilateral visual loss (2/60 - 6/18) was reported 1-48 hours following injury and central or paracentral annular scotomata were present. Although there was good recovery of visual acuity all patients had permanent scotomata, colour vision defects and loss of contrast sensitivity. Residual retinal microvascular and haemodynamic changes were noted on fluorescein angiography and the visually evoked responses were uniformly depressed. The structural and functional alterations in the retina of patients who have sustained seat belt injuries have important medico-legal implications.