[The clinical characteristics of different types of peripheral retinal degeneration and their relationship to retinal breaks and detachment].

Clinico-statistical analysis of case histories of 6114 patients with retinal detachment has revealed peripheral degeneration of the retina in 2739 twin eyes, of them in 67 patients breaks and tears of the retina were not followed by its detachment. A working-scheme classification of this pathology is worked out and clinical description of different forms of degeneration predisposing to retinal detachment is made. To prevent retinal detachment, indications to laser coagulation are worked out. Among 1754 patients with monolateral detachment of the retina in twin eyes subjected to prophylactic laser coagulation of the retina, only in 5 cases subsequent retinal detachment was recorded. It is shown that prophylactic laser coagulation of the retina allows to minimize the threat of retinal detachment in predisposed eyes.