[Avulsed retinal vessels].

PURPOSE To describe the clinical evolution of cases with avulsed retinal vessels without retinal detachment treated with laser or scleral buckle. METHODS Retrospective analysis of cases with avulsed retinal vessels treated between 2001-2003. Laser photocoagulation or scleral buckle was used. The minimum follow-up was 6 months. Average age was 53.6 years. RESULTS Of 13 patients, 8 were photoagulated with argon laser and 5 were submitted to a scleral buckle. The most common symptom was reduction in visual acuity. Vitreous hemorrhage was present in 7 eyes (53.8%) at diagnosis, and was the most frequent complication after treatment (30.7%). Final visual acuity was unchanged. CONCLUSION Avulsed retinal vessels have a good prognosis using laser or buckle. Late vitreous hemorrhage was the main complication.