Vitreoretinal traction maculopathy caused by retinal diseases

PURPOSE: To study the morphological findings of vitreoretinal traction maculopathy caused by retinal vascular diseases and their changes after vitrectomy. METHODS: Optical coherence tomographic images of 13 eyes of 12 cases were evaluated before and after vitrectomy. RESULTS: The tractional force appeared to be mainly tangential with a possible anterior vector in 11 eyes, and mainly in the anterior direction in 2 eyes. After surgery, the increased foveal thickness decreased markedly in all eyes, and visual acuity improved in 8 eyes, CONCLUSION: Preoperative optical coherence tomographic examination can reveal the fine structure of vitreoretinal separations and adherences caused by retinal vascular diseases. These observations permitted better surgical planning and results. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131:134-136. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).