Macular Retinopathy After Separation of Vitreoretinal Adherence

Abstract

A vitreoretinal traction syndrome at the posterior pole of the fundus occurs as a rare complication of posterior vitreous separation. Residual vitreoretinal adherence at the macula may be diagnosed by slit-lamp microscopy using a fundus contact lens. The symptoms usually disappear after the adherence separates. Permanent cystic degeneration results if the adherence persists. A late wrinkling or contraction of the inner layer of the retina may occur as a sequel to vitreoretinal traction. A characteristic appearance results consisting of wrinkling at the level of the internal limiting membrane, increased tortuosity of the perimacular vessels, and a preretinal membrane. The cause of this late maculopathy remains speculative but probably results from a proliferation of residual vitreous remaining on the retina after posterior vitreous separation. This causes contraction or wrinkling of the inner retinal layers.