Abstract
Purpose :
The presence of Weiss Ring is classically used to aid the diagnosis of Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) but can be difficult to visualize under slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The Anterior Hyaloid Separation Sign (AHSS) is a novel sign that can be seen among patients with PVD as a “veil of vitreous” in the anterior vitreous. AHSS is easier to visualize than Weiss Ring and may prove useful in settings where Weiss Ring visualization is not feasible. This study aims to determine the prevalence of AHSS among PVD patients to determine the value of AHSS in PVD diagnosis and confirmation.
Methods :
A retrospective chart review of patients with established PVD (n=214) enrolled at the University of Missouri - Mason Eye Clinic (Columbia, Missouri) between February 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023 was performed. PVD cases include those with a history of PVD or new PVD diagnosis within the study time frame. PVD patients were stratified as exhibiting AHSS or not having AHSS. AHSS was first visualized prior to the start of the study and the presence of AHSS was included in the electronic medical record. Descriptive data (age, gender, race/ethnicity), ocular-related comorbidities, and lens status were also gathered.
Results :
Among 214 PVD cases, 89.7% (n=192) presented with AHSS and 10.3% (n=22) did not present with AHSS. A chi-square test was performed to compare this study’s AHSS prevalence in PVD with the general PVD population. Analysis revealed significant prevalence between presence and absence of AHSS in PVD patients at 84% (p=0.02).
Conclusions :
Our result indicates that AHSS prevalence is high among PVD patients. This suggests the value of AHSS in diagnosis and confirmation of PVD. Unlike Weiss Ring detection, visualization of AHSS can be done without the use of fundoscopy lens thus can be performed by providers of varying expertise. Further studies should look into common factors among PVD patients who do not exhibit AHSS. We hypothesize that ocular-comorbidities that increase vitro-retinal adhesion (e.g. uveitis, retinal vascular diseases, etc.) may be a common factor among PVD patients without AHSS.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.