Ocular Fat Embolism Syndrome Following Surgical Repair of a Long Bone Fracture

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare multisystem disorder caused by the dispersion of fat emboli in the systemic circulation. FES typically occurs after orthopedic trauma and classically manifests as a triad of respiratory failure, neurologic impairment, and petechial rash. Ophthalmic involvement is uncommon in the absence of cardiac or pulmonary arteriovenous shunts and presents with diffuse retinal hemorrhages and accompanying visual disturbances. We report a case of FES and Purtscher-like retinopathy following the surgical repair of a comminuted femur fracture in a previously healthy 19-year-old male without a known predisposing cause and document the course of successful recovery.