Clinical and ultrasound study of peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency of peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions in the region of the vitreous base by ultrasound examination in relation to axial length of the eye and the age of the patient. Patient gender and the presence of visual symptoms also were considered.


METHODS
A total of 228 consecutive patients (445 eyes) underwent biometry, ultrasound examination, and biomicroscopic fundus examination. Their medical history also was taken. The patients were divided into three groups according to axial length of the eye (< 24 mm, 24-26.5 mm, and > 26.5 mm) and into three age groups (20-40 years, 41-60 years, and > 60 years).


RESULTS
No correlations was found between peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions and gender or between peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions and axial length of the eye. A significant correlation was found between peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions and age (P < 0.001). The proportion of adhesions increased with age (P < 0.001). The association between adhesions and presence of symptoms also was significant (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that only the presence of symptoms independently correlated with adhesions (relative risk, 1.71, 95%; confidence interval, 1.19, 2.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that peripheral vitreoretinal adhesions, detected by ultrasound, were always associated with the presence of symptoms.
Pierro
L
L
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Milan, H.S. Raffaele, Italy.
Brancato
R
R
Calori
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012160:Retina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*