Does papillo-vitreal traction promote the progression of optic atrophy?
Summary BACKGROUND: In the course of posterior vitreal detachment the complications of macular and peripheral vitreal traction strands are well described in literature. However papillovitreal traction strands can damage the retinal nerve fiber layer at the optic nerve head, affecting the course of optic atrophy by exerting forces of tension and elongation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 78 years old patient suffers from optic atrophy on the left eye with regular intraocular pressure. Reading visual acuity and visual field outcomes are decreasing constantly over two years now. Clinical findings and optic coherence tomography (OCT) examinations show considerable papillovitreal traction strands in the superior, nasal area of the papilla. RESULTS: The papillovitreal traction strands could be demonstrated clearly by OCT. Examination with the ultrahigh resolution OCT (UHR-OCT) showed cystic concavities in the ganglion cell and nerve fiber layer caused by tension forces in the areas of strong adhesi
