[Avulsed retinal vessels].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical evolution of cases with avulsed retinal vessels without retinal detachment treated with laser or scleral buckle.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of cases with avulsed retinal vessels treated between 2001-2003. Laser photocoagulation or scleral buckle was used. The minimum follow-up was 6 months. Average age was 53.6 years.


RESULTS
Of 13 patients, 8 were photoagulated with argon laser and 5 were submitted to a scleral buckle. The most common symptom was reduction in visual acuity. Vitreous hemorrhage was present in 7 eyes (53.8%) at diagnosis, and was the most frequent complication after treatment (30.7%). Final visual acuity was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Avulsed retinal vessels have a good prognosis using laser or buckle. Late vitreous hemorrhage was the main complication.
Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Leonardo Pérez
LP
Zeni
Manuel Augusto Pereira
MA
Vilela
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*