Tractional Retinal Detachment Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Lihteh Wu, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 30, 2012
 

History

  • Vitreoretinal traction develops insidiously in most cases.
  • The visual field defect progresses slowly and may become stationary for months or years.
  • If the macula becomes involved, the patient will experience a drop in vision.
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Physical

  • The detachment has a concave configuration.
  • The subretinal fluid is shallower than in RRD and often does not extend to the ora serrata.
  • The highest elevation of the retina occurs in sites of vitreoretinal traction.
  • Retinal mobility is severely reduced, and shifting fluid is absent.
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Causes

  • PDR
  • ROP
  • Penetrating trauma
  • Proliferative sickle retinopathy
  • PVR
  • Retinal venous occlusions
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Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Lihteh Wu, MD  Consulting Surgeon, Department of Ophthalmology, Vitreo-Retinal Section, Instituto De Cirugia Ocular, Costa Rica

Lihteh Wu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, and Retina Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Teodoro Evans, MD  Retina Fellow, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD  Professor of Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD  Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons; Clinical Professor Ophthalmology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society

Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Other; Topcon Medical Lasers Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Patient with a central retinal vein occlusion complicated by neovascularization at the disc with subsequent tractional retinal detachment.
This patient underwent a scleral buckle for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Now, the patient presents with proliferative vitreoretinopathy with a membrane tenting up and detaching the retina.
A patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated by a tractional retinal detachment over the supertemporal arcade.
 
 
 
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