Asteroid Hyalosis
- A form of vitreous degeneration in which calcium soaps aggregate in vitreous body.
- More prevalence in older patients with male to female ratio 2:1.
- Etiology is not clearly understood.
Clinical Features
- Symptoms: rarely affects patient's visual acuity even in cases of severe vitreous involvement.
- Signs:
- White to yellow-white small round to oval opacities suspended throughout the vitreous body
- 75 - 90% is found unilaterally
- Asteroid bodies move as the vitreous body moves and tend to return to their original positions
- Differential diagnosis include amyloidosis and cholesterolosis bulbi
Management
- No treatment is required.
- Vitrectomy may be indicated when poor visualization of the fundus causes retinal diseases diagnosis, follow-up and treatment difficult.