Idiopathic retinal dialysis.

Idiopathic retinal dialyses accounted for 1.8% of 1,789 eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments diagnosed in two institutions over the 6-year period from 1972 through 1977. These detachments characteristically occur in the inferotemporal quadrant of young adult eyes and often are associated with demarcation lines, retinal cysts, peripheral microcystoid degeneration, and yellow-white vitreous opacities. This study provides additional evidence that a distinct type of retinal detachment secondary to nontraumatic retinal dialyses exists. The authors believe that these dialyses probably are secondary to a developmental abnormality of the inferotemporal periphery of the retina and vitreous base. Trauma may precipitate these dialyses but is not the primary cause.