Perifoveal traction retinal detachment following successful optic disc pit surgery

A 25-year-old male presented 8 years after a successful vitreoretinal operation for a left optic disc pit (ODP). On presentation his visual acuity had reduced from 6/5 (20/15) to 6/12 (20/40) in his operated eye. On examination an annular serous retinal detachment possibly secondary to tangential traction by either the internal limiting membrane (ILM) or residual lamellar vitreous cortex or both around the peripheral macular area was seen. The central fovea was flat. Following an uncomplicated vitrectomy and ILM peel, visual acuity improved to 6/6 (20/20) postoperatively. The author suggests that traction forces are responsible for the development of the serous detachment in eyes with ODP. Epiretinal membranes together with the ILM should be removed in all patients undergoing therapy for a retinal detachment associated with ODP in an effort to initially achieve a further relief of all forces and to try to avoid the late retinal detachment associated with epiretinal membrane or ILM contraction.