Retinal Pigment Epithelial Tears

Retinal pigment epithelial tears have been recognized recently as a complication of retinal pigment epithelial detachments. They are characterized by sudden separation of detached from attached pigment epithelium at the margin of the detachment. Retraction of the overlying pigment epithelium occurs and exposes Bruch's membrane and choroid. Most pigment epithelial tears appear to arise spontaneously, but they also may occur following krypton red laser photocoagulation. The visual prognosis is poor in eyes in which the tear involves the subfoveolar pigment epithelium.