Primary or spontaneous detachment of the retina occurs due to underlying ocular disease and often involves the vitreous as well as the retina. The precipitating event is formation of a retinal tear or hole, which permits fluid to accumulate under the sensory layers of the retina and creates an intraretinal cleavage that destroys the neurosensory process of visual reception. Vitreoretinal degeneration and tear formation are painless phenomena, and in most cases, significant vitreoretinal pathology is found only after detachment of the retina starts to cause loss of vision or visual field. Without surgical intervention, retinal detachment will almost inevitably lead to total blindness (summary by McNiel and McPherson, 1971).

A cataract is an opacity or clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its capsule.

Corneal guttata are droplet-like accumulations of non-banded collagen on the posterior surface of Descemet's membrane. The presence of focal thickenings of Descemet's membrane histologically named guttae. Cornea guttata can be easily diagnosed in vivo and ex vivo by means of specular microscopy as it gives dark areas where no endothelial cells are visible.

The appearance of yellow/white crystalline-like (hence the name) spots in the retina and thickening of the peripheral part of the vitreous.

Vestigial vitreous gel occupying the immediate retrolental space and minimal to no discernible gel in the central vitreous cavity, giving the appearance of an empty vitreous cavity.

Yellow, white or grayish lesions in the retina that are well-defined/distinct, individual and mostly uniform in size.

The appearance of yellow/white crystalline-like (hence the name) spots in the retina and thickening of the peripheral part of the vitreous.