Experimental retinal detachment. III. Vitreous fluorophotometry.

Fluorophotometry was used to study the disappearance of fluorescein injected into the vitreous in monkeys with stable rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. The clearance of fluorescein from the vitreous was twice as rapid in detached eyes compared with the fellow eyes. Fluorescein disappeared from the anterior chamber at a rate accounting for only 4% to 5% of the rate of vitreous fluorescein disappearance. The increased rate of fluorescein disappearance in eyes with detachment supports the theory that a posteriorly directed flow of fluid through the retinal hole exists in eyes with detachment.