Retinal tuft (vitroretinal tuft) is a disorder or degeneration of the

retina The retina (; or retinas) is the innermost, photosensitivity, light-sensitive layer of tissue (biology), tissue of the eye of most vertebrates and some Mollusca, molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focus (optics), focused two-dimensional ...

in the eye. Retinal tufts are classified as a peripheral retinal degenerations and can be categorized as either cystic or zonular tractional. Retinal tufts can be visualized or diagnosed using a dilated eye examination and indirect

ophthalmoscope Ophthalmoscopy, also called funduscopy, is a test that allows a health professional to see inside the fundus of the eye and other structures using an ophthalmoscope (or funduscope). It is done as part of an eye examination and may be done as part ...

or a widefield retinal scan. A retinal tuft is a gliotic degeneration of the retina composed of focal adhesions in the

extracellular matrix In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix (ICM), is a network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide structural and bio ...

joining the retina and the posterior hyaloid of the eye. Retinal tufts are a common

lesion A lesion is any damage or abnormal change in the tissue of an organism, usually caused by injury or diseases. The term ''Lesion'' is derived from the Latin meaning "injury". Lesions may occur in both plants and animals. Types There is no de ...

of the retina and under 1% of these tufts are thought to lead to

retinal detachment Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina pulls away from the tissue underneath it. It may start in a small area, but without quick treatment, it can spread across the entire retina, leading to serious vision loss and possibly blindness. ...

. The risk of a retinal detachment from a retinal tuft has been estimated to be about 0.28% and there is usually no treatment necessary for this condition. Cystic retinal tufts affect 5% of the population and are thought to be a congenital abnormality in the retina. Cystic tufts are more commonly found under the vitreous base in the peripheral of the retina, but can also be found in other parts of the retina. In this condition, the retina can be stretched by the vitreous humor. Long term vitreous traction (stretching) of the retina is thought to be what is associated with the increased risk of tears to the retina or retinal detachment. Under a microscope looking at the histology of a cystic retinal tuft, an increase in

glial cells Glia, also called glial cells (gliocytes) or neuroglia, are non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and in the peripheral nervous system that do not produce electrical impulses. The neuroglia make up ...

, breaking down of the outer retina, and a loss in photoreceptor cells is often detected.

Classification

Retinal tufts can classified into three subtypes: cystic, non-cystic, and zonular traction retinal tufts. Cystic tufts are usually larger than 0.1mm in length. Non-cystic retinal tufts are usually shorter, less than 0.1mm in length and are often clustered together in a series of projections within the vitreous base. Zonular traction retinal tufts are usually made up of thin individual strands that are usually in the vitreous base and extend over the area where the rod and cone of the eye end ( ora serrata).

Causes

Retinal tufts are related to pulling or traction of the vitreous humor. They are characterized by areas of gliotic degeneration on parts of the retina.

Prognosis

Most retinal tufts are stable and do not change over time. Due to the traction that is placed on the vitreous humor, the retinal tuft may change in shape. Retinal tufts increase the risk of a retinal tear or a detached retina, although the risk is not high- 1% of tufts are thought to lead to

. In addition if there is retinal thinning near a zonular traction tuft, there is an increased risk of retinal detachment. Cystic tufts lead are often associated with an increased risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

References

Eye diseases {{Improve categories, date=December 2024