LATE VISUAL RECOVERY AFTER INTRAVENOUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE TREATMENT OF PURTSCHERS-RETINOPATHY

A 25-year-old man involved in a minor traffic accident subsequently ha d a Purtscher's-type retinopathy and lost visual acuity (20/800). Afte r treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone at a dose of 1g/day, h is visual acuity improved to 20/70 three days later and to 20/50 one w eek later. The exudates and hemorrhages gradually disappeared. However , a localized central scotoma and afferent pupillary defect still pers isted. We review previous reports on the retinal pathophysiology of Pu rtscher retinopathy and discuss the potential benefit of treatment wit h high-dose intravenous corticosteroids.