A case of purtscher-like retinopathy following a motor vehicle accident.

Purpose: To describe a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy following seat belt compression of the chest in a motor vehicle accident.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 53-year-old woman developed Purtscher-like retinopathy following compression of the chest by her seat belt in a motor vehicle accident. Observation was recommended, and on follow-up examination at 8 weeks her vision, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography had returned to baseline.

Conclusion: Seat belts may produce chest compression to induce a Purtscher-like retinopathy in varying degrees associated with the severity of the accident and subsequent compressive forces of the seat belt.