Case Report

Functional and Anatomical Findings in Acute Purtscher's Retinopathy
Carsten H. Meyer, Josep Callizo, Jörg C. Schmidt, Stefan Mennel

Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2006;220:343-346 (DOI: 10.1159/000094627)

  Key Words

• Purtscher's retinopathy
• Cotton-wool spots
• Optical coherence tomography
• Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy/microperimetry

  Abstract

Introduction: To determine the anatomical location and functional impairment in acute Purtscher's retinopathy (PR). Material and Methods: A 15-year-old boy with acute PR was examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and microperimetry (MP). Results: His initial best corrected visual acuity was 20/30 OD and 20/80 OS, the MP demonstrated absolute scotomas in the central and peripapillary area of the cotton-wool spots. On the OCT, there was a hyporeflective area in the inner aspect of the retina, corresponding to white patches on funduscopy. After he had been treated with oral prednisolone 100 mg, his visual acuity improved to 20/20 OU within 4 weeks and there were no scotomas on the MP. The central retinal architecture returned to normal with no sub- or intraretinal fluid. Discussion: Cotton-wool spots in PR represent infarctions of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Deeper layers of the retina may also be involved, causing a breakdown of the inner blood-retina barrier with temporary intra- and subretinal edema.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Carsten H. Meyer, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University Marburg
Robert-Koch-Strasse 4
DE-35037 Marburg (Germany)
Tel. +49 6421 286 2600, Fax +49 6421 286 5678, E-Mail meyer_eye@yahoo.com

  Article Information

Received: January 19, 2006
Accepted: March 23, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 10