Round table on new developments in vitreoretinal surgery

✍ Scribed by R. Machemer

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 190 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0165-5701
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00150400

✦ Synopsis

The retinal and vitreous changes seen in retrolental fibroplasia can be explained by proliferation and contracture of tissue originating in the shunt area. Avascular retina is stretchable and therefore much of it stays attached, while vascular retina is non-stretchable and detaches. When the shunt area forms a circular ring, one of three distinct patterns of retinal detachments develop, according to whether the shunt area is anterior, equatorial, or posterior in location. Of special interest is the development of a peripheral trough, a ring-like peripheral area in which the retina may even be attached while the remaining retina is detached.

Vitreous surgery should be considered when the retina is completely detached but the central funnel is still open. This will necessitate consideration of surgery very early in life.