Introduction: Previous studies have provided evidence that non-arterial ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), vitreous traction, and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) may be related; However, a detailed description of the predictive features of PVD in these patients has been provided in a few studies so far. By conducting this study, we decided to take a positive step in clarifying the pathophysiology of the relationship between the two disorders and increasing the patient's quality of life through early detection.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, after obtaining the necessary permits from the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences, the information in the clinical records of patients with ischemic optic neuropathy referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital from March 2022 to December 2023 was analyzed. Exclusion criteria included having diabetes, intraocular bleeding, intraocular inflammation, and a history of eye trauma or surgery. Moreover, patient information including age, gender, presence of papillary edema, optic atrophy, intracranial pressure (ICP) rise, and presence of PVD was extracted from the file. At the end, the data collected from the patients was entered into the statistical software SPSS version 26 and employed Chi-square tests for analysis.
Results: PVD was seen in 18 patients (18.9%) out of 95 patients evaluated. A statistically significant relationship was seen only between the age group of patients with the presence of PVD (P = 0.028); In this way, with increasing age, the percentage of PVD from 0.0% in the age group below 18 years, to 7.1% in the age group 18-38 years, to 26.2% in the age group 38-58 years and to 7. 35% was significantly increased in the age group of 58 years respectively. Meanwhile, no statistically significant relationship was found between other variables including gender, the presence of papillary edema, optic atrophy, and ICP rise with the presence of PVD (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: In patients with optic nerve ischemic neuropathy, the incidence of PVD increases significantly with age. Therefore, to find a causal relationship between PVD and optic nerve ischemic neuropathy, an age-related factor should be sought. Hence, future research should be designed and implemented to compare the mechanism of PVD and non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) at the same time in different age groups.
Keywords: Ophthalmology; Optic nerve ischemic neuropathy; Posterior vitreous detachment.
© 2025. The Author(s).