Vitreoretinal Tufts

Vitreoretinal Tufts
SYMPTOMS Typically asymptomatic but may experience flashes and/or floaters
SIGNS White-gray piece of tissue at the vitreoretinal interface (appears elevated toward the vitreous) typically found in the far periphery with or without RPE pigment
May be associated with retinal holes and retinal tears
Shafer sign may be seen in the presence of a retinal tear
WORK-UP Full eye exam with dilated retinal exam, Scleral depression, Peripheral 90D, Gonioscopy 3-mirror (using retina mirrors)
TREATMENT Vitreoretinal tufts without evidence of retinal holes or tears: No treatment is needed and retina needs to be monitored
Vitreoretinal tufts with associated retinal holes or tears: Refer to a retinal specialist ASAP for further evaluation and treatment
FOLLOW-UP Vitreoretinal tufts without evidence of retinal holes or tears: See patient back in 12 months
Vitreoretinal tufts with associated retinal holes or tears: Once patient is seen and treated by a retinal specialist and the retina is stable, the patient should be seen back in 6-12 months
ADDITIONAL LAB | TESTS None
ETIOLOGY Non-cystic vitreoretinal tuft: Degenerated non-cystic retinal tissue that occurs due to traction from the vitreous
Cystic vitreoretinal tuft: Degenerated cystic retinal tissue that occurs due to traction from the vitreous
Zonular tractional vitreoretinal tufts: Occurs due to thickened zonules (that are displaced posteriorly) and traction from the vitreous
DIFFERENTIAL DX Cotton wool spots, Ora pearl, RPE dropout
NOTES Cystic retinal tufts and zonular tractional tufts are the vitreoretinal tufts most likely to be associated with retinal tears or holes
The most common type of vitreoretinal tuft is a non-cystic tuft which has a very small (if any) risk of being associated with a retinal tear or hole
The most common location of a vitreoretinal tuft is the nasal quadrant of the peripheral retina
Vitreoretinal Tufts: Retinal photo demonstrating a cystic vitreoretinal tuft with an associated retinal tear https://imagebank.asrs.org/file/1995/cystic-retinal-tuft
Posted in Ocular Conditions, Retina-Periphery