Traumatic Maculopathy

Abstract

The retina, unique in its design and function, is a fragile neural tissue, easily injured and possessing only modest capabilities for repair. Understanding the diffuse nature of retinal injuries requires an appreciation for distinct mechanisms of trauma. The mechanisms of traumatic injury of the retina are numerous and can be categorized into those resulting from sharp or lacerating forces, those associated with blunt force (contusion or rupture), those resulting from acceleration or deceleration forces, and other more complex mechanisms including vascular and photic injuries. The most common traumatic retinopathies involve contusion-related closed globe injuries, which induce mechanical changes of the globe configuration from blunt impact. While our ability to manage severe ocular injuries has certainly improved in the past 50 years, involvement of the retina continues to be an ominous sign, portending a guarded visual prognosis.