Two Cases of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Associated with Asteroid Hyalosis

BACKGROUND: To report two cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with asteroid hyalosis (AH). CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients presented with RRD originating from a flap tear. Case 1 involved a 62-year-old male who was found to have bullous RRD in his left eye originating from a flap tear. During vitreous surgery, a thick vitreous cortex was found to have strongly adhered to the entire retinal surface, from the center to the periphery. A bimanual method was then used in conjunction with the vitrectomy to create an artificial posterior vitreous detachment. After surgery, the retina was successfully reattached, and his corrected visual acuity (VA) improved. Case 2 involved a 70-year-old male who was found to have localized RRD in his left eye originating from a flap tear. During vitreous surgery, a thick vitreous cortex was found to have strongly adhered to the entire retinal surface. After surgery, the retina was successfully reattached, and his corrected VA improved. CONCLUSIONS: RRD associated with AH presents with stronger vitreoretinal adhesion compared to typical RRD, thus requiring a more complicated surgical technique to properly treat the patient.