To investigate the morphologic characteristics of macular commotio retinae using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and develop a grading system for traumatic photoreceptor damage.

Retrospective, observational case series.

setting: Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. patients: Forty-nine patients with macular commotio retinae, examined by SDOCT within 7 days of the initial traumatic event. observations: A 4-step grading system was based on the morphology revealed by SDOCT. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and structural integrity of the 3 photoreceptor layers (cone outer segment tips [COST], inner/outer segment [IS-OS] junction, external limiting membrane [ELM]) were evaluated at baseline, at 1 month, and at the final visit. Visual and anatomic outcomes at 1 month and at the final visit were compared among subgroups. main outcome measures: The severity of photoreceptor damage as revealed by SDOCT and BCVA.

The following 4 distinct photoreceptor morphologic features were observed: increase in IS-OS junction reflectivity with the disappearance of the thin hyporeflective optical space (n = 8, grade 1), COST defect only (n = 5, grade 2), COST and IS-OS junction defects (n = 16, grade 3), and COST, IS-OS junction, and ELM defects (n = 20, grade 4). Eyes with higher grades at baseline had significantly worse visual (final BCVA, P = .002) and anatomic outcomes (complete photoreceptor recovery, P < .001).

The number of disrupted photoreceptor layers, as determined using SDOCT images, can be used to grade macular commotio retinae. This system may be useful in documenting the baseline severity of photoreceptor damage and in predicting visual and anatomic outcomes.