Work

A Case of Nonaccidental Trauma With Subretinal Fluid Identified by Handheld Optical Coherence Tomography

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: To describe subretinal fluid (SRF) identified using handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a pediatric patient with nonaccidental trauma and document its structural resolution on follow-up imaging. Methods: A single case was retrospectively reviewed. Results: We report a pediatric case of nonaccidental trauma with retinal involvement evaluated using dilated fundus examination and handheld OCT. Fundus examination demonstrated bilateral multilayered retinal hemorrhages involving the posterior pole and extending into the periphery. OCT revealed inner retinal abnormalities, outer retinal changes including ellipsoid zone thickening, punctate hyperreflective foci, and SRF. The patient was managed conservatively. Follow-up OCT demonstrated complete structural resolution of the retinal abnormalities without intervention. Conclusions: Handheld OCT provides high-resolution, objective assessment of retinal microstructural injury and can detect subclinical findings in nonaccidental trauma, complementing fundus examination and widefield retinal imaging. To our knowledge, SRF has not been widely recognized as a distinct OCT finding in this condition. This case highlights transient SRF as a potential manifestation of retinal injury in nonaccidental trauma.

Source: Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases

DOI: 10.1177/24741264261469701

Authors: Elliot H. Choi, Cherilyn Palochak, A. Itzam Marin, Mona Fayad, Irena Tsui

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Doheny Eye Institute

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Related Trauma

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Research to Prevent Blindness, National Eye Institute