Clinicopathologic Correlation of an Unusual Case

Background: Choroidal ruptures occurring as a result of blunt ocular injury are uncommon. A 72-year-old woman sustained blunt trauma to the left eye in 1965. In 1986, she was seen at the Wilmer Institute, and posterior choroidal rupture was documented and fluorescein angiography was performed. Absence of fluorescence was seen in the area of the rupture, and the inferotemporal artery and vein dipped into the area and emerged on the other side of the rupture. Methods: The eyes were obtained postmortem, and histologic examination was performed. Results: Examination of the left eye revealed a horizontal linear white scar inferior to the optic nerve and macula. Stepped-serial sections through the rupture revealed a 0.7-mm wide defect in Bruch's membrane and retina where fibrous tissue containing melanocytes extended into the vitreous cavity for a short distance. Conclusion: The clinicopathologic features of an indirect horizontal choroidal rupture is reported.