Diagnostic vitrectomy and uveitis.

When properly used, diagnostic vitrectomy can be an extremely helpful procedure for establishing the etiology of ocular inflammation. New instruments have enabled more expedient and safer surgery. Analytical assays continue to improve in quality and quantity as our understanding of ocular diseases grows. Though no single assay is completely sensitive, a combination of assays may improve the yield and accuracy of diagnostic vitreous biopsy (Table 5). Keeping abreast of these advances may aid ophthalmologists in obtaining earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for their patients.