Echographic evaluation of retinal tears in patients with spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage

We studied the ability of standardized echography to correctly diagnose a retinal tear in patients with opaque ocular media due to vitreous hemorrhage. Records were studied of 42 patients with spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage and no ophthalmoscopic view of fundus details. Of these 42 patients, 11 had an echographic diagnosis of probable retinal tear and no retinal detachment. In 10 (91%) of 11 cases, the presence and location of the tears that were diagnosed echographically were confirmed on clinical follow-up. In one patient, an area of peripheral neovascularization was mistaken for a tear. Echography failed to identify one retinal tear that was later detected on clinical examination. Therefore, we have found standardized echography to be a reliable tool in identifying retinal breaks.