Retinal detachment with oral dialysis: differences in clinical features between cases with and without photoreceptor outer segments in aqueous humor.

Eighteen patients with retinal detachment due to oral dialysis were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of photoreceptor outer segments in the aqueous humor, and clinical characteristics were compared to elucidate the underlying factors causing the differences. In the group with the presence of the outer segments, oral dialysis was significantly small in size and had no predilection in location. Retinal detachment was significantly long in duration, flat in height, and involved a wide area including the macula. The visual field defect recovered at a significantly high rate after reattachment of the retina. In the group with the absence of the outer segments in the aqueous humor, oral dialysis was significantly large in size and located predominantly in the temporoinferior quadrant. Retinal detachment was significantly short in duration, and cystic or localized around the oral dialysis.