Atlas Entry - Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment results when liquified vitreous passes through a retinal break into the potential subretinal space.

Figure 1

Category(ies): Retina, Vitreous

Contributor: Zachary Q. Mortensen, MD; Razek G. Coussa; MDCM; James C. Folk, MD; H. Culver Boldt, MD

Photographer: Jody M. Troyer, CRA

71-year-old man presented with 2 weeks of blurred vision and curtain-like vision loss obscuring the inferior portion of his left visual field. Visual acuity was 20/50+2. Fundoscopy (see image) demonstrated a large horseshoe break at 12:30 at the equator, with a slightly rolled edge and a bridging vessel. There was subretinal fluid from 10:00 clockwise to 3:00, extending posteriorly to just involve the center of the fovea. This macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was repaired surgically. Three months later, his vision improved to 20/20.

Enlarge Download

Figure 2

Category(ies): Retina, Vitreous

Contributor: Jesse Vislisel, MD

Photographer: Cindy Montague, CRA

This photograph shows a superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that is not yet involving the macula.

Enlarge Download

The second photograph shows a closer view of the primary horseshoe tear with two smaller retinal tears nearby. Lattice degeneration and intraretinal hemorrhages can be seen adjacent to the tears.

Enlarge Download

Figure 3

Category(ies): Retina, Vitreous

Contributor: Lucas T. Lenci MD, Elaine Binkley MD, Jessica Watson MD, Culver Boldt MD

Photographer: Brice Critser, CRA

This is a patient who presented with an inferior visual field defect and multiple flashes and floaters. These images demonstrate an excellent example of a large, superior horseshoe tear with a bullous retinal detachment.