Vitrectomy in patients with decreased visual acuity secondary to asteroid hyalosis

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the role of vitrectomy in patients with decreased visual acuity solely attributable to asteroid hyalosis.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with asteroid hyalosis and identified those who underwent vitrectomy for symptomatic asteroid hyalosis alone.

Results: After vitrectomy, nine of 10 eyes (10 patients) had at least 1 line of improvement in nonstandardized best-corrected visual acuity. In one eye, vision was unchanged postoperatively. The average gain was 3.44 lines.

Conclusions: A small percentage of patients with asteroid hyalosis have decreased visual acuity caused solely or primarily by the asteroid hyalosis. Vitrectomy in these patients may alleviate symptoms and improve visual acuity.