Experimental retinal detachment. IX. Aqueous, vitreous, and subretinal protein concentrations
J. E. Pederson and C. B. Toris
Unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were created in seven
cynomolgus monkeys. Six months later, aqueous, vitreous, and subretinal
fluid protein concentrations were measured. In fellow eyes with vitrectomy
alone, mean aqueous and vitreous protein concentrations were 0.28 and 0.23
mg/mL, respectively. In eyes with retinal detachments, mean aqueous,
vitreous, and subretinal protein levels were 1.46, 2.66, and 4.74 mg/mL,
respectively. Eyes with a large retinal hole (greater than or equal to 1
disc diameter) had a subretinal fluid-vitreous protein concentration ratio
of 1.1, indicating free diffusional exchange between the vitreous and
subretinal space. In eyes with a small retinal hole (less than or equal to
1/4 disc diameter), the corresponding ratio was 4.0. These findings are
consistent with the hypothesis that fluid moves from the vitreous cavity
through the retinal hole into the subretinal space, preventing back
diffusion of protein from the subretinal space into the vitreous, and
allowing accumulation of protein in the subretinal space.
