CRYSTALLINE RETINOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC RETINAL-DETACHMENT

Objective: To describe the presence of crystalline opacities located a t the level of the inner retina in patients with chronic retinal detac hment. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records, fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiograms of patients with superficial retinal crysta ls in the presence of a chronic retinal detachment. Results: Eleven ey es in 11 patients with chronic retinal detachment were found to have t hese peculiar crystalline opacities on the inner retinal surface. In 5 patients, the crystalline opacities were noted on initial assessment prior to surgery and persisted without change in appearance or number after surgical repair. In 6 eyes, the crystals were not appreciated un til after surgical repair of the retinal detachment. The crystals appe ared similar in all II eyes, were highly refractile, and were located in the posterior pole. Eight of the eyes had retinal detachment associ ated with retinal dialysis and 6 of these had a history of trauma. The re was a definite history of vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes. The crysta ls did not seem to be associated with any visual deficit. Conclusions: Chronic retinal detachment can be associated with crystals on the inn er retinal surface. The cause and composition of these crystals are un known. They seem to be visually inconsequential and unchanging.