Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the incidence of retinal tears occurring in eyes presenting with symptoms and signs of an acute posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) associated with vitreous hemorrhage.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of an electronic medical records (EMR) database from a retina referral practice setting. EMRs were reviewed for presentation symptoms and findings including acute symptoms of PVD and findings compatible with PVD and intravitreal hemorrhage. EMRs were reviewed for number and types of retinal tears.
Results: :
The EMRs were reviewed from November 1996 through October 2007. Of 17,929 unique patients, 901 patients (5%) were identified to present with symptoms and signs of PVD and vitreous hemorrhage. Of these patients, 115 (12.8%) were treated for retinal tears associated with the PVD and vitreous hemorrhage.
Conclusions: :
The incidence of retinal tears in the setting of PVD with associated vitreous hemorrhage observed in this study, 12.8%, is similar to the incidence of retinal tears reported in the setting of PVD without vitreous hemorrhage in other large series.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: natural history • vitreous