Retinal ischemia may contribute to late complications from nonaccidental head trauma in children

Researchers reviewed the charts of five consecutive patients (10 eyes) who underwent a detailed evaluation, including fluorescein angiography (FA), following nonaccidental head trauma. FA showed peripheral retinal nonperfusion in seven eyes, with interruption of both the arterial and venous side of the retinal vascular tree. All of the eyes with retinal nonperfusion also presented with preretinal and/or vitreous hemorrhage, and none of the eyes without ischemia demonstrated preretinal or vitreous blood. The study did not elucidate the role of prophylactic laser treatment. The authors suggest close observation for the development of neovascularization in these children.