Question:medium
Shifting fluid (shifting subretinal fluid) is characteristically seen in which condition?
Shifting fluid (shifting subretinal fluid) is characteristically seen in which condition?
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Free serous fluid with no break or traction will pool wherever gravity takes it.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Exudative retinal detachment
- Tractional retinal detachment
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
- Retinodialysis
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Concept first: shifting fluid means the fluid is free to move, which only happens when there is no break and no traction.
Exudative retinal detachment is caused by leakage of serous fluid from the choroid or retinal circulation into the subretinal space, with an intact retina and no fibrous pull. Such free fluid obeys gravity, so it gravitates to the lowest point and visibly relocates when the patient lies down or sits up. Clinicians call this shifting subretinal fluid, and it is the classic sign of exudative detachment.
Contrast this: rhegmatogenous detachment has a retinal break that fixes the fluid path, tractional detachment is tethered by fibrovascular membranes, and retinodialysis is itself a type of break. None produce freely shifting fluid. Hence exudative retinal detachment is the answer.
Exudative retinal detachment is caused by leakage of serous fluid from the choroid or retinal circulation into the subretinal space, with an intact retina and no fibrous pull. Such free fluid obeys gravity, so it gravitates to the lowest point and visibly relocates when the patient lies down or sits up. Clinicians call this shifting subretinal fluid, and it is the classic sign of exudative detachment.
Contrast this: rhegmatogenous detachment has a retinal break that fixes the fluid path, tractional detachment is tethered by fibrovascular membranes, and retinodialysis is itself a type of break. None produce freely shifting fluid. Hence exudative retinal detachment is the answer.
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