Vitrectomy for large vitreous opacity in retinitis pigmentosa.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe a patient with bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and visually disabling vitreous opacities, who benefited from vitrectomy in both eyes.

METHODS:

A 37-year-old man with retinitis pigmentosa and severely constricted visual fields developed a large, dense, vitreous floater and visual obscuration in the right eye. Subsequently, diffuse vitreous opacification and visual obscuration developed in the left eye.

RESULTS:

Bilateral pars plana vitrectomy relieved the patient's visual obscurations. Electron micrographs of the excised vitreous opacity from the left eye showed collagen fibrils and cellular debris.

CONCLUSION:

Visually significant vitreous opacities may develop as a complication of retinitis pigmentosa. The visual impact of such opacities may be magnified by its superimposition on limited visual fields. Vitrectomy may be of benefit in such cases.

• Authors: P H Hong, D P Han, J M Burke, W J Wirostko
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 131 Issue 1 Pg. 133-4 (Jan 2001) ISSN: 0002-9394 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11162992 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adult
• Eye Diseases (etiology, pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Retinitis Pigmentosa (complications)
• Visual Acuity
• Visual Fields
• Vitrectomy
• Vitreous Body (surgery, ultrastructure)