The Clinical Analysis of the Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment-related Retinal Tears

Lee, Seung Yong; Park, Jong Seok

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients who were previously treated for acute posterior vitreous detachment-related retinal tears.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review of patients who were treated for retinal tears with symptoms of acute posterior vitreous detachment between January 2000 and December 2005 was performed.
RESULTS
The mean age at diagnosis was 51.62+/-12.29 years, and the mean follow-up period was 16.13+/-9.87 months. A barrier laser photocoagulation and cryopexy was performed to treat initial retinal tears. The outcomes of treatment for initial retinal tears were favorable. During the follow-up period, the incidence of new retinal tears was 10.3% (8 eyes/77 eyes), and the onset of new retinal tears occurred within a mean of 11.87+/-5.96 months after treatment for initial retinal tears. Only 2 patients who had new retinal tears complained of symptoms such as increased floaters and photopsia. A barrier laser photocoagulation was performed to treat new retinal tears. The outcomes of treatment for new retinal tears were successful.
CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes of treatment with a barrier laser photocoagulation and cryopexy for acute posterior vitreous detachment-related retinal tear were good. In addition, new retinal tears were almost asymptomatic and developed within 15 months after the treatment for initial retinal tears.