Bullous retinoschisis

This fundus photograph from an asymptomatic 71 year old woman shows bullous retinoschisis (edge shown by black arrows). Retinoschisis has a tense, convex appearance, unlike the less geometric, more undulating appearance of a retinal detachment. An OCT through this area shows that the fluid is within and not beneath the retina. No treatment is indicated, and in most cases no progression occurs. Rarely, the outer layer of a retinoschisis cavity can tear and fluid from the retinschisis cavity can migrate beneath the retina. If this is progressive, surgical repai is possible using vitrectomy techniques.