Retinal detachment with tear in the posterior fundus following ocular contusion.

Two unusual cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following contusion to the eyeball showed retinal tears at the posterior fundus close to the optic disc and the large retinal blood vessels. In both cases, the tears were not detected immediately after the injury due to a coexisting vitreous hemorrhage. Both patients were successfully treated by pars plana vitrectomy, air-fluid exchange, and endolaser photocoagulation. During vitrectomies, an adhesion of the vitreous to the flap or the operculum of the tear was observed, with detachment of the remainder of the posterior vitreous from the retina. Vitrectomy allowed a more complete resolution of posterior tractional forces than scleral buckling, and eliminated the vitreous hemorrhage.