Differentiation of degenerative retinoschisis from retinal detachment using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to differentiate retinoschisis from retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography is a noninvasive, noncontact imaging method that produces high-resolution, cross-sectional images of ocular tissue. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with the differential diagnosis of retinoschisis versus retinal detachment. METHODS: Differentiation between retinoschisis and retinal detachment was established from both ophthalmoscopic and OCT examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Ability of OCT to differentiate retinoschisis from retinal detachment was measured. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with retinal elevation were examined with OCT. The cross-sectional view produced by OCT was effective in distinguishing retinoschisis from retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography images of retinoschisis show a splitting of the neurosensory retina. The OCT images of retinal detachment show separation of full-thickness neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium band. The OCT images correlated with the clinical impression in all 13 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this series of cases, OCT is a potentially useful new test that may be used to distinguish retinoschisis from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Vitreous management in massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To establish whether total vitrectomy with posterior hyaloid removal and choroidal hemorrhage drainage posterior sclerotomies improved the outcome of eyes with massive postoperative suprachoroidal hemorrhage (kissing choroidals). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of five patients with massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage (MSCH) who had received the same medical and surgical management. RESULTS: Three eyes had MSCH secondary to surgery of the anterior segment and two after ocular trauma. All had hemorrhagic choroidal detachment with retinal apposition, producing vitreous changes and adherence of the "kissing" retina. Surgery was delayed one to three weeks to allow liquefaction of the blood clot. All eyes had complete ocular evaluation including ultrasound, and were treated with steroids before surgical treatment. The procedure consisted of anterior chamber fluid infusion, posterior drainage sclerotomies, and primary total pars plana vitrectomy with posterior hyaloid removal. Mean follow-up was 9.4 months. Visual acuity after surgery improved in all eyes from light perception to 20/60. One patient without light perception improved to 20/200. CONCLUSIONS: Total vitrectomy may be indicated in selected cases with MSCH. The successful outcome of these patients comes from the combination of vitrectomy and external drainage.