The importance of qualitative vitreous examination in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment with pigmented vitreous granules or hemorrhage have a higher likelihood of retinal tear compared with those with qualitatively normal vitreous examination findings.

METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 3 peripheral ophthalmic clinics. Patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment were examined for the presence or absence of vitreous pigment granules, vitreous hemorrhage, and horseshoe retinal tear.

RESULTS: Fifty-nine consecutive patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment met our eligibility criteria. Eight patients had a retinal tear, and thus its prevalence in our study was almost 14%. Thirteen patients (22%) had a high likelihood because they had evidence of either pigmented vitreous granules or hemorrhage. The prevalence of retinal tear in the setting of acute posterior detachment associated with vitreous hemorrhage alone, pigment alone, or vitreous hemorrhage and pigment was 54%. Patients with posterior vitreous detachment with pigmented vitreous granules or hemorrhage were significantly more likely to have a retinal tear (odds ratio, 52.0; 95% confidence interval, 5.4-497.0). Patients with a retinal tear were 7 times more likely to have pigmented vitreous granules or hemorrhage (LR + ve = 7.4, in which LR + ve indicates positive likelihood ratio; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-16.4).

CONCLUSION: Patients with posterior vitreous detachment with vitreous pigment granules or hemorrhage are 52 times more likely to have a retinal tear compared with those who have normal findings on qualitative vitreous examination.