Chorioretinitis sclopetaria managed with early pars plana vitrectomy. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Chorioretinitis sclopetaria is a rare entity resulting from trauma by a high-velocity projectile that passed adjacent or through the orbit without penetrating the eyeball. It causes full-thickness chorioretinal damage and visual loss. Objective: To present a clinical case of the entity treated in an unusual way, with a good result. Case report: 42 year-old male who mentioned a strong firearm detonation near the eyeball. Days later, he presented with visual loss, and hemovitreous was diagnosed. An ocular ultrasound was done, which reported retinal tear, so a pars plana vitrectomy was performed. At the end of the follow up, there was a visual ability to count fingers at 30 cm. Complementary studies were carried out to document the clinical findings, showing a choroidal fracture with macular involvement. Follow-up was carried up to four weeks after the intervention, without complications and with visual stability. Conclusions: We present a case of chorioretinitis sclopetaria, which is scarcely reported; so far, this is the first case treated with early vitrectomy without later complications.