Asteroid Hyalosis

Asteroid Hyalosis
  • A form of vitreous degeneration in which calcium soaps aggregate in vitreous body.
  • More prevalence in older patients with male to female ratio 2:1.
  • Etiology is not clearly understood.

Clinical Features

  • Symptoms: rarely affects patient's visual acuity even in cases of severe vitreous involvement.
  • Signs:
    • White to yellow-white small round to oval opacities suspended throughout the vitreous body
    • 75 - 90% is found unilaterally
    • Asteroid bodies move as the vitreous body moves and tend to return to their original positions
    • Differential diagnosis include amyloidosis and cholesterolosis bulbi

Management

  • No treatment is required.
  • Vitrectomy may be indicated when poor visualization of the fundus causes retinal diseases diagnosis, follow-up and treatment difficult.
Asteroid Hyalosis