Terson Syndrome
- Hemorrhagic retinopathy associated with subarachnoid and cerebral hemorrhage
- Bleeding usually surrounds optic disc, but...
- May break into vitreous cavity
- Caused by sudden marked elevation of intracranial pressure that bursts retinal veins
- Occurs immediately
- May be confused with papilledema, central retinal vein occlusion
- Hemorrhages usually resolve in months, but...
- May persist if have broken into vitreous, so that...
- Vitrectomy may be necessary to restore vision
- Flame hemorrhages that surround optic disc, sometimes obscuring it
- May also break into vitreous cavity so that retina hard to visualize
- Patient complains of reduced vision
- Usually affects both eyes, but often asymmetrically
- Refer patient with subnormal vision in subarachnoid or cerebral hemorrhage once stabilized
- No treatment for at least 6 months to allow for spontaneous resolution of vitreous hemorrhage
- Vitrectomy for persisting vitreous hemorrhage provided no other cause of disabling vision loss
