Detection of senile scleral plaque after head trauma

Senile scleral plaques are late onset ocular calcifications, and are usually detected incidentally on orbital computed tomography scan following trauma. This report is of 4 elderly patients with senile scleral plaques who were admitted to the emergency room following trauma to the head. A head/orbital computed tomography scan was performed as part of the routine examination. In all 4 patients, computed tomography scan revealed a clear retina and no scleral perforation or foreign body intrusion, but bilateral radiodense areas were located anterior to the insertion of the horizontal rectus muscles. These areas were diagnosed as senile scleral plaques. Even though these ocular calcifications are benign, they have important prognostic implications, and should therefore be identified correctly and not confused with other ocular pathologies.