The induction of retinal detachment.

The induction of retinal detachment is dependent upon several factors whose relative importance remains controversial. These factors are retinal breaks, often associated with vitreous traction, inertial forces and changes in chorioretinal adhesion. Retinal breaks may be classified as holes, tears and dialyses. The relation to the vitreous base is an important prognostic indicator. Once a retinal break has occurred, inertial forces disturb the normal vitreo-retinal association. At that point, the development of a clinical detachment also depends upon loosening of the normal chorioretinal adhesion. Myopia and aphakia are important predisposing factors. The presence of preretinal membranes is a precipitating factor for recurrent retinal detachment. The high success rate of current surgical techniques (85 per cent) is mainly related to a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to retinal detachment.