Marfan Syndrome – Page 22 of 50

Sometimes blood in the vitreous, as seen in a vitreal hemorrhage, adhering to the posterior vitreal face can be mistaken for a retinal detachment. The two conditions can be differentiated by lowering the sensitivity of the instrument. Since retinal tissue is a better reflector of sound than is blood, echoes from blood disappear earlier than those from retinal tissue. In addition, blood almost never appears as a thin membrane, as can the retina. Although blood may form at the face of a posterior vitreal detachment (PVD), it still appears “thicker”. A dense vitreal membrane sometimes, but rarely, can also be mistaken for a retinal detachment.

Although blood may form at the face of a posterior vitreal detachment (PVD), it still appears “thicker”. A dense vitreal membrane sometimes, but rarely, can also be mistaken for a retinal detachment. The two conditions can also be differentiated by using functional tests, such as an ERG and VEP, which will be normal or near normal when the underlying retina is normal.