Intravitreal triamcinolone staining observation of residual undetached cortical vitreous after posterior vitreous detachment

Aims To study the pattern of residual undetached cortical vitreous (RCV) after posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to examine the relationship between RCV and the development of epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods A prospective study was conducted in 33 consecutive patients with clinically evident PVD who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for RRD. During vitrectomy, triamcinolone acetonide (0.2 cm(3), 10 mg/cm(3)) was applied to stain the RCV. The pattern of the staining were recorded. The formation of postoperative ERM was correlated with the staining pattern of RCV. Each case was followed for at least 6 months. Results In all, 23 of the 33 patients had RCV of variable size, with a single stain patch observed in 13 patients and multiple patches in seven patients. Large circumferential areas of staining at the mid-periphery were noted in three patients. A total of 10 cases had staining over the fovea and five patients had staining over the disc. ERM developed in seven patients during follow-up. None corresponded to RCV. Conclusion RCV is common in eyes with PVD and RRD. The macula and disc area are the most frequent locations for these vitreous islands. The relationship between RCV and ERM remains to be investigated.