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The causal relationship between trauma and retinal detachment is frequently uncertain because two separate etiologic factors are involved: the traumatic insult and the preexisting state of vitreoretinal degeneration. The relative influence of each factor depends upon its severity. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical characteristics of retinal detachments caused by severe contusion in eyes selected so as to minimize the influence of vitreoretinal degeneration. These characteristics are compared to those of nontraumatic cases as previously reported by Schepens and Marden.1,2 Materials and Methods One hundred and sixty patients with retinal detachment due to ocular contusion were selected from the records of the Retina Associates and the Retina Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary according to the following criteria: Unilateral retinal detachment preceded by ocular contusion. Objective signs of contusion in the affected eye. Absence of visible vitreoretinal degeneration of the types known to

Ten eyes which had developed retinitis proliferans following branch retinal vein occlusion were treated with xenon photocoagulation utilizing an ablative technique limited to the effected retinal quadrants. In eight of the ten eyes, complete regression of the vessels was obtained, as evidenced by nonfilling on subsequent fluorescein angiography. The remaining two eyes showed significant but incomplete closure. There were no postoperative vitreous hemorrhages, no significant permanent complications, and the visual acuity remained at or better than pretreatment levels in all cases. In conclusion, we wish to reemphasize the limited scope of this report. The series, though consecutive, is small and the follow-up period relatively short. On the basis of the cases presented here, we believe that continued investigation using this mode of treatment is warranted, and that this method may prove to be of significant value in the management of complicated retinal branch vein occlusion.