Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) occurs as a natural aging progress but can lead to the risk for severe visual impairment if associated with retinal tears that can then develop into a retinal detachment. Symptomatic PVDs are common add-on cases and utilizing the OCT can assist in the diagnosis of the stage of the PVD and appropriate follow up for the condition. When evaluating if a patient has had an PVD, look for the posterior hyaloid membrane and its attachment to the macula and optic nerve.
Figure 1: Stage 2 posterior vitreous detachment. The posterior hyaloid membrane is detached from the macula but still attached to the optic nerve.
Figure 2: Stage 3 posterior vitreous detachment. The posterior hyaloid membrane has detached from the macula and is detaching from both the nasal and temporal retina. There is still vitreopapillary attachment.
Figure 3: The posterior hyaloid membrane is visible and is attached to the blood vessel. The vitreous attaches firmly to the optic disc, macula, vitreous base and along blood vessels.
Figure 4: Peripapillary schisis believed to be secondary to vitreopapillary traction. The posterior hyaloid membrane has detached from the macula but still firmly attached to the optic nerve. Stage 3 posterior vitreous detachment.
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