2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
9 Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Chapter 13: Masquerade Syndromes
Nonneoplastic Masquerade Syndromes
Chronic Peripheral Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Chronic peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment can be associated with anterior segment cell and flare and vitreous inflammatory and pigment cells. Patients often have good vision that can sometimes deteriorate because of macular edema. Careful dilated fundus examination with scleral depression is of paramount importance in establishing the diagnosis. Findings may include peripheral pigment demarcation lines, subretinal fluid, retinal breaks, subretinal fibrosis, and peripheral retinal cysts. Photoreceptor outer segments liberated from the subretinal space may be present in the anterior chamber, simulating inflammatory cells. In such situations, IOP may be elevated, as these photoreceptor outer segments are phagocytosed by the endothelial cells in the trabecular meshwork, resulting in secondary open-angle glaucoma. This condition is called Schwartz syndrome.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 9 - Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.