In most cases patients with asteroid hyalosis are asymptomatic however when dense asteroid bodies are present, evaluation of the retina can be impaired. Vitrectomy for asteroid hyalosis is rarely necessary but may be indicated for impaired visualization of the retina even with alternative imaging modalities, for application of laser photocoagulation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or other retinal vascular diseases, or more rarely when the asteroid bodies are visually significant. Vitrectomy in cases of asteroid hyalosis can be challenging due to the frequent absence of a PVD or due to the presence of vitreous schisis. In today’s case, 1st year UCLA vitreoretinal fellow Dr. Cherilyn Palochak, demonstrates induction of a PVD in a patient with asteroid hyalosis and proliferative diabetic retinopathy with a localized tractional retinal detachment. Thank you Dr. Palochak for sharing this case!
