Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- loss or deterioration of central vision
- flashes of light
- loss of peripheral visual field
Risk factors
- posterior vitreous detachment
- increasing age
- myopia exceeding -8 D
- previous cataract surgery
- trauma
- ocular inflammation/infection
- previous ophthalmic surgery
- intraocular tumor
- vitreous hemorrhage
- affected fellow eye
- diabetes mellitus
- peripheral retinal degeneration
- anatomic abnormality
- age-related macular degeneration
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- visual acuity testing
- slit-lamp exam
- indirect ophthalmoscopy
Investigations to consider
- B-scan ultrasonography of affected eye
- CT/MRI of orbit
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors

Director of Clinical Research
Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham
AL
Consultant and Chief Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Milos Klinika
Belgrade
Serbia
Consultant
Zagorskiego Klinik
Nałęczów/Rzeszów
Poland
Disclosures
FK declares that he has no competing interests.
Dr Kuhn would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Robert Morris, a previous contributor to this monograph. RM declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Sunderland Eye Infirmary
Sunderland
UK
Disclosures
DS declares that he has no competing interests.
Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville
FL
Disclosures
MWS declares that he has no competing interests.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven
CT
Disclosures
RA declares that he has no competing interests.
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Sunderland Eye Infirmary
Sunderland
UK
Disclosures
SF declares that he has no competing interests.
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