Which treatment is NOT associated with the occurrence of RPE tears?

Oral steroids are not associated with the occurrence of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears. RPE tears are typically related to interventions that exert mechanical stress or damage to the retina and the RPE, or those that induce changes in vascular dynamics.

In contrast, laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy are direct treatments targeting neovascularization and can lead to complications including RPE tears due to the localized thermal and photochemical damage they cause to retinal tissues. Anti-VEGF intravitreal injections are also associated with RPE tears, as they can lead to changes in fluid dynamics within the retina and may contribute to RPE detachment or tears as a secondary effect.

Oral steroids, while they have their own set of side effects and are sometimes used for managing inflammatory conditions, do not inherently cause direct damage or stress to the RPE in the same manner as the other treatments listed. Therefore, they do not result in RPE tears and are considered unlikely to contribute to this specific complication.