Asteroid Hyalosis (AH) is a benign condition of the vitreous fluid that tends to occur in the elderly.
Diagnostic features: unilateral or bilateral presence of multiple small yellow-white tiny opacities suspended in the vitreous.
The opacities consist of calcium, pyrophosphate and lipid (Kador and Wyman identified 1,2-dipalmitoyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine in a canine model)..
Risk factors:
(1) older age
(2) components of the metabolic syndrome: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes
Clinical features:
(1) often asymptomatic
(2) may be associated with perception of floaters
Significance:
(1) may mimic intra-vitreous hemorrhage on ocular ultrasound
(2) may interfere with the retinal exam
(3) may interfere with calculations of intraocular lens power (by affecting axial length measurements)
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