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Spontaneous large serous retinal pigment epithelial tear
Voraporn Chaikitmongkol1, Direk Patikulsila, Janejit Choovuthayakorn
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Case Reports in Ophthalmology
|November 10, 2012
Summary
Spontaneous retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears associated with large pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) are rare. Visual prognosis is favorable if the fovea is spared, and no specific treatment is needed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) can lead to spontaneous retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears.
- Giant RPE tears are a rare complication of PED.
Observation:
- This study retrospectively reviewed 3 Asian patients (4 eyes) with spontaneous giant RPE tears.
- Clinical presentation, angiography, OCT, and fundus autofluorescence were analyzed.
- Two patients had prior corticosteroid use; one had no medication history.
Findings:
- All patients experienced spontaneous resolution of subretinal fluid without treatment.
- Corticosteroid use was associated with initial tear and fluid progression.
- Incomplete RPE regeneration and choroidal neovascularization were observed in one patient.
Implications:
- Large PEDs with RPE tears are uncommon but have a favorable visual prognosis if the fovea is unaffected.
- No specific treatment is typically required for these RPE tears.
- Close monitoring for choroidal neovascularization is essential.
