Risk factors for multiple retinal tears in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate possible risk factors for multiple retinal tears in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment.

METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients presenting with symptoms of floaters and/or flashes were examined. The associations of retinal tears with the duration of symptoms, multiple floaters, flashing, a family history of retinal detachment, peripheral retinal degeneration, lens status, myopia, tobacco dust, and retinal or vitreous hemorrhage were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four (14.4%) of the 376 patients had 71 initial retinal tears. Forty of the 54 eyes had one retinal tear, and 14 eyes had multiple retinal tears. The presence of retinal or vitreous hemorrhage increased the risk of multiple retinal tears 6.1 times using univariate analysis and 7.0 times using multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Unrecognized retinal tears in patients with acute posterior vitreous detachment can cause subsequent retinal detachment. It is therefore important to consider multiple retinal tears, especially in patients with retinal or vitreous hemorrhage.