Abstract
We have developed a simple technique in rabbit and baboon eyes that utilizes intravitreally injected perfluoropropane gas, which expands slowly to efficiently compress and displace nearly completely the vitreous body. There is cataract formation after extended contact of the gas bubble with the lens. However, it is rapidly reversible by reducing the duration of lens contact (gas-fluid exchange) and by using young animals. No long-term alterations in intraocular pressure or retinal function were observed, as determined by electroretinography, during the 4-month test period.
Gross examination and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the vitreous cavity, shortly after full expansion of the gas bubble, was practically free of collagen. The vitreous body had been detached from most of the retina and compressed into a collagenous strand between the optic nerve head and lens in the rabbit eyes, and there was also a dense collagen accummulation on the inferior retinal surface and anterior vitreous base in the rabbits and the baboon. Large areas of the retina and medullary wings were stripped of overlying collagen. By the end of 4 months, the compressed vitreous body had expanded to become an irregular structure that remained separated from the retina in areas of previous detachment.
Mechanized vitrectomy is a difficult procedure often needed in experimental work. We believe that the vitreous compression and gas-fluid exchange technique is a valid alterative to a mechanical approach. We also believe that we have a model that simulates the human situation of posterior vitreous detachment and vitreous syneresis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrams GW, Edelhauser HF, Aaberg TM, Hamilton LH (1974) Dynamics of intravitreal sulfur hexafluoride gas. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 13:863
Aronowitz JD, Brubaker RF (1976) Effect of intraocular gas on intraocular pressure. Arch Ophthalmol 94:1191
Ehrenberg M, Thresher R, Machemer R (1984) Vitreous hemorrhage: non-toxic to retina and stimulator of glial and fibrous proliferation. Am J Ophthalmol (in press)
Fineberg E, Machemer R, Sullivan P, Norton EWD, Hamasaki D, Anderson D (1975) Sulfur hexafluoride in owl monkey vitreous cavity. Am J Ophthalmol 79: 67
Lawwill T (1972) Practical rabbit electroretinography. Am J Ophthalmol 74:135
Lincoff A, Kreissig I (1981) Intravitreal behavior of perfluorocarbons. Dev Ophthalmol 2:17
Lincoff A, Haft D, Liggett P, Reifer C (1980a) Intravitreal expansion of perfluorocarbon bubbles. Arch Ophthalmol 98:1646
Lincoff H, Mardirossian J, Lincoff A, Liggett P, Iwamoto T, Jakobiec F (1980b) Intravitreal longevity of three perfluorocarbon gases. Arch Ophthalmol 98:1610
Sabates WI, Abrams GW, Swanson DE, Norton EWD (1981) The use of intraocular gases: The results of sulfur hexafluoride gas in retinal detachment surgery. Ophthalmology 88: 447
Spivey BE, Pearlman JT (1953) Day-to-day variations of the ERG in humans and rabbits. Am J Ophthalmol 55:1013
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by a grant to M.E. from the Retina Research Foundation, Houston, Texas, by Grant EY02903 and the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, New York from the National Eye Institute to R.M., and by a grant to M.E. from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., New York, New York
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thresher, R.J., Ehrenberg, M. & Machemer, R. Gas-mediated vitreous compression: an experimental alternative to mechanized vitrectomy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 221, 192–198 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02134139
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02134139