A new diagnostic method for retinal breaks in patients with posterior vitreous detachment: Ultra‐wide‐field imaging with the Zeiss Clarus 700

Abstract Purpose This study was performed with the aim of finding a more convenient and less time‐consuming method to diagnose retinal breaks in posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) patients. Methods A prospective double‐blind observational case study was performed with patients who were admitted to the Eye Emergency Department Sahlgrenska University Hospital with PVD symptoms and approved to participate in the study ( n = 128). Standard slit lamp examination was compared with images from a Zeiss Clarus 700 ultra‐wide‐field camera (UWFC). Patients were examined and photographed by an independent operator. Data and image review was performed by three independent reviewers with varying experience. Retinal break detection with the two different methods (detailed eye examination by well‐trained ophthalmologist and UWFC evaluations) was analysed statistically. Results After excluding diagnoses other than PVD as well as unclear images due to cataracts, vitreous bleeding, etc., a total of 103 eyes with PVD were evaluated. A total of 38 ruptures in 25 patients were detected by routine examination and were subjected to laser treatment. UWFC images were reviewed by three ophthalmology consultants and compared with routine examinations. Sensitivity values in detecting retinal ruptures in UWFC images of the three reviewers were 0.89, 0.87 and 0.79, and specificity values were 0.88, 0.86 and 0.93 (kappa values: 0.742, 0.689 and 0.728) respectively. Conclusion Although there have been rapid developments in imaging with UWFC in recent years and it is a very promising method for the future, routine clinical examination is still the only valid method for the detection of retinal tears today.