Experimental retinal detachment. II. Role of the vitreous.

The role of the cortical vitreous in persistence of experimental retinal detachments was evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys. Detachments were created by subretinal injection of 20% autologous serum in Ringer's solution. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed on selected eyes with a Douvas vitrectomy instrument before creation of the detachment. Retinal holes were created from the subretinal side with a hooked needle or from the vitreal side with the vitrectomy instrument. The rate of reattachment of the retina was rapid and independent of retinal holes size if cortical vitreous covered the retinal hole. If no cortical vitreous covered the retinal hole, the retina remained detached indefinitely (longer than three months). A spontaneous reduction in the size of the retinal hole occurred in many eyes in association with star-fold formation. It is concluded that cortical vitreous is capable of obstructing fluid movement through the retinal hole.