PURPOSE: 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. CONCLUSION: Avulsed retinal vessels have a good prognosis using laser or buckle. Late vitreous hemorrhage was the main complication.
Retinal vessels; Retinal perforations; Laser surgery; Vitreous hemorrhage
