POSTERIOR VITREOUS AND RETINAL DETACHMENT Flashcards
What is posterior vitreous detachment?
PVD refers to the separation of the posterior hyaloid membrane from the retina anywhere posterior to the vitreous base.
What are the risk factors for developing posterior vitreous detachment?
Age over 65
Myopia
Female
Cataract surgery
What are the symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment?
Flashes of light (photopsia)
Sudden dramatic increase in number of floaters
Ring of floaters just temporal to central vision
What are the complications of posterior vitreous detachment?
Increased risk of retinal detachment
How do we manage someone with posterior vitreous detachment?
No treatment necessary unless they have retinal detachment
What is retinal detachment?
When the retina detaches from the retinal pigmented epithelium. Fluid gets behind the retina and exacerbates the problem.
What are the three types of retinal detachment?
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Exudative, serous, or secondary retinal detachment
Tractional retinal detachment
What are the risk factors for developing retinal detachment?
Acute posterior vitreous detachment
Glaucoma
Cataract surgery
Diabetic retinopathy
High myopia
Trauma
Family history
Malignant hypertension
What are the clinical features of retinal detachment?
Symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment (photopsia, temporal floaters) followed by:
Dense shadow that starts peripherally
Veil or curtain drawn across part of visual field
Straight lines that suddenly appear curvy
Eventually central visual loss
Painless
Tobacco dust or Schaffer’s sign on slit lamp examination
What part of the retina most commonly suffers retinal detachment?
Superotemporal region (75%)
How do we treat retinal detachment?
Surgery - must explain very clearly in consent the likelihood of fully regaining sight is very small.
