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.