Diagnostic effectiveness of noncontact slitlamp examination in the identification of retinal tears

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of noncontact slitlamp examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy and scleral depression, in the identification of retinal tears.

Methods: A prospective study was performed using 17 patients who were referred with retinal tears. All were initially examined at the slitlamp with a hand-held Volk (noncontact) lens. The same observer then carried out indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral indentation.

Results: In 17 eyes a total of 18 acute retinal u-tears were found. A total of 16 tears were picked up at the initial examination at the slitlamp (89%), while two were missed (11%).

Conclusions: Indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression is the 'gold standard' for the identification of peripheral retinal tears. This small study has shown that although the majority of these can be picked up by the use of a noncontact lens at the slitlamp, 11% were missed using this technique.