Retinal dialysis: pathology and pathogenesis.

One hundred three cases of retinal dialysis from the files of the Eye Pathology Laboratory at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute from the years 1968 to 1981 were reviewed histopathologically. The major etiological mechanisms are illustrated and their pertinent features discussed. Although most of these cases were clearly related to trauma, several were of idiopathic origin and two of those were bilateral. A possible role for lattice degeneration in retinal dialysis is demonstrated. The literature dealing with the clinical, experimental, and histopathologic features of retinal dialysis is reviewed.