Detached retina vs. dense fibrovascular membrane: A-scan and B-scan signs for the differential diagnosis with standardized echography

Abstract

In eyes with opaque ocular media, especially in those with dense vitreous and subvitreal hemorrhages forming membraneous structures with the vitreous cavity the differentiation between a detached retina and a dense fibrovascular membrane is often a difficult challenge to the echographer. Yet the (early and reliable) diagnosis of retinal detachment in eyes with opaque media is of paramount importance, especially in eyes that have suffered severe trauma as well as in eyes with severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, i.e., in eyes where timely vitrectomy and retinal re-attachment surgery often decide the outcome and are the only way for recovery of useful vision.