ROLLER COASTER RETINOPATHY

Abstract

Traumatic head injuries not involving the eye have been known to cause retinal injury through multiple mechanisms. Abusive head trauma remains the prototypical example. We propose to demonstrate the first case of bilateral multiple retinal hemorrhages in a young healthy adult related to riding multiple theme park roller coasters. The patient was evaluated with a complete ophthalmic examination including dilated extended ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and fundus photography. The patient was found to have a bilateral symptomatic macular retinopathy characterized by multiple intraretinal hemorrhages. Given the lack of other systemic findings and negative medical workup, her signs and symptoms were thought to be attributed to the same day attendance of a theme park and riding of multiple roller coasters. Theme park roller coasters, as well as other attractions, may affect the eye at the vitreoretinal interface. This type of acceleration-deceleration injury should be considered in the differential of an adolescent or adult patient with retinal hemorrhage in the absence of other pathologic processes to explain clinical findings.