Crystalline Maculopathy Secondary to Retinal Tear Without Detachment

Abstract

Purpose:

Crystalline maculopathy secondary to chronic retinal detachment (RD) has previously been described. This article proposes a novel mechanism to explain crystalline formation in the absence of RD.

Methods:

Two patients, who were referred for routine examination, were found to have a crystalline maculopathy in the setting of an asymptomatic, chronic-appearing, peripheral retinal tear. Fundoscopy and optical coherence tomography were used to assess the crystals and tear. No specimens were obtained.

Results:

We describe 2 cases of a crystalline maculopathy secondary to an asymptomatic peripheral retinal tear. We hypothesized macrophage ingestion of photoreceptor segments emanating from the tear may have contributed to macular crystalline deposition.

Conclusions:

Because crystalline maculopathy can present in the setting of RD, there may be a shared pathogenesis between the 2 conditions.