Following blunt trauma from a football, fundoscopy of a 20-year-old shows grey-white opacification of the macula with a cherry-red spot appearance. Vision is 6/18. The diagnosis and typical course are:
- A Commotio retinae (Berlin edema), usually resolves spontaneously over weeks ✓
- B Central retinal artery occlusion, permanent vision loss expected
- C Choroidal rupture, requires urgent laser photocoagulation
- D Retinal detachment, requires immediate scleral buckling
Correct answer: A. Commotio retinae (Berlin edema), usually resolves spontaneously over weeks
Explanation
Commotio retinae is transient outer retinal whitening from photoreceptor disruption after contusion injury; it typically resolves without treatment over days to weeks, though severe cases may leave pigmentary change. Central retinal artery occlusion gives the same cherry-red spot but with sudden profound loss and a normal-looking perifoveal retina rather than contusive whitening, which separates that distractor.
Reference: Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.