Peripheral retinal tears: classification, prevalence and principles of management

In summary, full-thickness peripheral retinal tear is classified in relationship to the vitreous base as intrabasal, juxtabasal and extrabasal. Each of these categories of full-thickness retinal tear is usually associated with characteristic lesions that are particularly likely to produce full-thickness retinal tears in the respective zones. In overall prevalence, full-thickness peripheral retinal tears, excluding retinal tears at the ora serrata, are present at autopsy in 3.3% of patients, are bilateral in 11.2% of affected patients, and are present in 1.9% of eyes. In conjunction with full-thickness retinal tears, principles of management are reviewed.