Vitreous and Retina

Rhegmatogenous Detachment

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment demonstrating a flap tear with one bridging vessel and a posteriorly rolled edge. The irregular retinal folds are caused by mild proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).
  • The most commonly seen retinal detachment.
  • Usually there is/are retinal break(s) induced by posterior vitreous detachment.
  • Fluid from liquefied vitreous can pass through the break(s), enter the potential subretinal space and undermine the retina from the RPE.

Signs

  • Retinal break(s)
  • Undulating bulla, retinal tear flap, or corrugated folds
  • Pigment in vitreous (tobacco dusts)
  • Syneretic vitreous (liquefaction changes within the corpus vitreous)
  • Low intraocular pressure

Management

Identify and treat the breaks by a number of methods such as:

  • Scleral buckling, cryotherapy or laser to promote firm chorioretinal adhesion
  • Pneumatic retinopexy for selected superior detachment
  • Temporary balloon device as a temporary buckling
  • Vitrectomy