Posterior vitreous detachment and retinal tear after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who experienced a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and retinal tear after her 11th session of 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of major depression. Although we cannot conclude that rTMS caused her PVD and retinal tear, the temporal association is strong, and we hypothesize a possible pathophysiology of the event. As part of the routine clinical monitoring of rTMS side effects, we encourage attention toward ophthalmologic symptoms, especially in older patients.