This 60YO female presented with a symptomatic retinal tear in her left eye. Optos color RG imaging shows the break with localized surrounding subretinal fluid and a bridging vessel. The break was immediately surrounded by laser. When examined 1 month later, the tear and fluid were well demarcated, and no new breaks were found.
Learning Points:
Symptomatic retinal tears in the presence of an acute posterior vitreous detachment have a high risk of causing a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Prophylactic retinopexy is therefore indicated. Treatment must completely surround the tear and, ideally, extend to the ora serrata. Both thermal laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy are equally effective in creating a vitreoretinal adhesion, which takes at least several weeks to form. The treatment must also be inspected during the postoperative period to ensure adequate scarring surrounds the break.
