Foveal involvement by acquired retinoschisis: Long-term visual outcomes

Purpose: To report the long-term findings of acquired retinoschisis whose posterior border was <10 from the fovea. METHODS:: Retrospective case series. RESULTS:: Over a 43-year period, 2 patients retained central vision when the foveola was involved by retinoschisis alone. In these two and in another four patients, the development of outer layer holes eventually was followed by either outer layer or full thickness retinal detachment into the foveola with loss of central vision. Laser treatment or vitrectomy prevented this in three patients. A seventh patient is being monitored by periodic spectral domain optical computerized tomography. CONCLUSION:: Acquired retinoschisis that progress into the foveola without an outer layer detachment is compatible with preservation of some degree of central vision. If an outer layer detachment develops under the foveola, such patients lose central vision. Periodic monitoring by spectral domain optical computerized tomography should help to avoid or detect this complication.