Pharmacologic induction of posterior vitreous detachment in the rabbit

T. C. Verstraeten, C. Chapman, M. Hartzer, B. S. Winkler, M. T. Trese and G. A. Williams
Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.

OBJECTIVE--To assay the proteolytic activity of plasmin on the vitreoretinal junction and to assess a potential facilitating effect on posterior vitreous detachment. METHODS--We injected 1 U of plasmin into the vitreous of rabbits. Some eyes underwent vitrectomy after plasmin injection. Electroretinography and electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS--In plasmin-treated eyes, electroretinography displayed a transient (3 days) decreased b-wave amplitude. Histologic examination demonstrated posterior vitreous detachment in eyes that received intravitreal plasmin followed by vitrectomy. CONCLUSION--Plasmin may prove to be a useful biochemical adjunct to mechanical vitrectomy.

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