Source of subretinal fluid on the basis of ascorbate analyses
W. A. van Heuven, K. W. Lam and G. S. Ray
Biochemical analyses of subretinal fluid revealed a consistently high
ascorbate level in the subretinal fluid of patients with rhegmatogenous
retinal detachment. The average values and SDs of ascorbate in anterior
chamber aqueous humor, subretinal fluid, and blood were 14.7 +/- 1.8, 27.4
+/- 2.1, and 1.8 +/- 0.2 mg/dL, respectively. The ascorbate concentration
in subretinal fluid was always higher than that in aqueous humor. The high
ascorbate level in subretinal fluid led to the hypothesis that aqueous
humor contributes to the formation of subretinal fluid. Presumably and
constant absorption of subretinal fluid by the choroid directs a portion of
the aqueous humor from the posterior chamber into the subretinal space. The
posterior movement of aqueous humor causes reduced ascorbate concentration
in the anterior chamber and relative hypotony of eyes with rhegmatogenous
retinal detachment. Closing the retinal break results in an interruption of
the posterior movement of aqueous humor and rapid absorption of the
remaining subretinal fluid by the choroid.
