Abstract:Degenerative retinoschisis(RS)is a common peripheral retinal degeneration that typically remains asymptomatic and follows a benign clinical course. However, its morphological resemblance to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)presents a diagnostic challenge, as the two conditions demand fundamentally different management and carry distinct prognoses. Precise differentiation is therefore clinically imperative. Recent advances in multimodal imaging have substantially refined the diagnostic accuracy and differential assessment of degenerative RS, establishing spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)as the definitive reference standard. When the disease progresses to progressive symptomatic schisis-related retinal detachment(PSSRD), prompt surgical intervention, including scleral buckling, pars plana vitrectomy, or a combined approach, is mandated to preserve visual function. Clinical decision-making must be individualized, with the surgical strategy carefully tailored to the specific characteristics of eachcase. This review provides a systematic synthesis of current evidence on the natural history, imaging hallmarks, and surgical management of degenerative RS and its complications, aiming to inform and optimize clinical practice.
