Xanthic scotoma and yellow foveolar shadow caused by a pseudo-operculum after vitreofoveal separation.

The biomicroscopic detection of a small opacity (pseudo-operculum) suspended in front of the normal foveal retina is a sign of vitreofoveal separation. This report concerns five patients in whom slit-lamp illumination of the pseudo-operculum produced a yellow spot (shadow) on the adjacent pigment epithelium. This occurred in two patients who presented because of a small yellow central scotoma. In one patient, the yellow spot and scotoma disappeared after complete posterior vitreous separation. One patient presented because the referring physician misinterpreted the yellow spot as a Stage 1 impending macular hole.