PURTSCHER'S RETINOPATHY 

Purtscher's retinopathy is a disease where part of the eye (retina) is damaged. Usually associated with severe head injuries, it may also occur with other types of trauma, such as long bone fractures, or with several non-traumatic systemic diseases. However, the exact cause of the disease is not well understood. There are no treatments specific for Purtscher's retinopathy, and the prognosis varies. The disease can threaten vision, sometimes causing temporary or permanent blindness.

CAUSES

Traumatic

• Head trauma
• Chest compression
• Crush injury
• Orthopedic surgery
• Weight lifting
• Battered baby syndrome
• Barotrauma

Non-traumatic

• Acute pancreatitis
• Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Chronic renal failure
• Connective tissue disorder
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Haemolytic uremic syndrome
• Orbital injection
• Embolism
• HELLP syndrome
• Pre-eclampsia
• Hodgkin lymphoma

SYMPTOMS

The most important clinical symptom of Purtscher retinopathy is painless diminished visual acuity. In cases where there is a causal link with a traumatic event, visual disturbance may appear synchronous with that event or be delayed up to 24-48h. Bilateral disease is generally present in 60% of cases and in virtually all cases if precipitated by acute pancreatitis. However, there is no apparent association between the extent of retinal involvement and the unilateral or bilateral presentation of the disease^. Diminished visual acuity is typically accompanied by visual field loss, either in the form of central, paracentral or arcuate scotomata, while peripheral visual field is usually preserved.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When purtscher’s retinopathy   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering mental and physical symptoms

ARNICA MONTANA: Bloodshot. Double vision from trauma and retinal hemorrhage. Bruised, sore feeling in the yes after close work. Feel tired and heavy after sightseeing, moving pictures. Must keep eyes open. Dizzy on closing them. Photophobia. High objects lean forward and about to fall. Right eye protrudes, looks larger than left.

BELLADONNA: Throbbing deep in eyes on lying down. Eyes feel swollen and protruding. Pupils dilated. Staring, brilliant, conjunctiva red, dry, burn, shooting in eyes. Photophobia. Double vision. Attacks of blindness, then yellow vision. Sensation as if eyes were half closed. Lines appear crooked when reading.

PHYSOSTIGMA: Bloodshot eyes with burning. Astigmatism. Glaucoma. Contraction of pupils. Profuse lachrymation. Spasm of ciliary muscles with irritability after using the eyes. Pain over orbits. Increasing myopia. Eyelids tense, cannot close or open them. Photophobia. Night blindness. Vision trembling. Muscae volitantes, flashes of light.

SYMPHYTUM: Pain in eye after a blow of an obtuse body. For traumatic injuries of the eyes no remedy equals this.