Retinal break is a full thickness defect in the neurosensory retina, it may be of the rounded hole type or horse shoe shaped type, or the U shaped type.
This is retinal detachment due to a retinal break, its importance comes from two points:
1) it's rather common
2) it's a cause of surgically treatable blinding.
Risk factors:
High myopia.
Aphakia and pseudoaphakia.
Trauma ( blunt or perforating)
Family history of RD or history of RD in the fellow eye.
Posterior vitreous detachment:
The primary event leading to the formation of retinal break and subsequent retinal detachment Is acute posterior vitreous detachment. It's an innocent phenomenon. It's a merely sign of aging. However, it has individual variations of its age of occurance. It's known to occur at an earlier age in myopic patients who had previous cataract surgery.
The vitreous fibrils become condensed together and form shadows in front of the retina (Musca volitantes) or cob webs.
Because of its acute nature , it's often a very alarming and annoying symptom. However, most PVDs are considered physiological; they are quite innocent and have no serious consequences. In a few situations, where there is some preexisting strong vitreous adhesion, acute PVD results in vitreoretinal traction and retinal tear formation (pathological PVD).
Symptoms:
Patients complaining of acute symptoms of PVD ( floaters, flashes and cob webs) must have their retina examined by a specialist. In most cases reassurance is the only needed management. But if retinal tears are detected they must be treated prophylactically with laser or cryopexy.
コメント