Retinal Detachment and Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Background
- Retinal detachment (RD): Detachment of retinal tissue from the back of the eye. Risk factors include trauma, high myopia (nearsightedness), older age, history of RD in the other eye, prior eye surgery, and family history
- Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): Detachment of vitreous from the retina, a normal aging process that may cause retinal tears leading to RD.
Presentation and Evaluation
- Both: acute flashes and floaters
- RD: black curtain or veil In vision, visual field loss.
- PVD: may result in blurriness, but does not involve veils, scotomas, or severe vision loss
Management
- acute flashes, floaters, and/or curtains in vision: consult ophthalmology
- Non-acute or bilateral symptoms: Less likely to be RD/PVD; consider alternative causes. See “Approach to Flashes, Floaters, Spots” section
