Corneal edema secondary to vitreocorneal contact

H. M. Leibowitz, R. A. Laing, R. Chang, J. Theodore and S. S. Oak

Aphakic eyes, some with edematous corneas, and others with corneas free of edema, but all with formed vitreous humor in contact with the corneal endothelium, were studied. Removal of vitreous humor from the anterior chamber by closed vitrectomy resulted in substantial improvement in the state of corneal hydration and, in some cases, in the elimination of clinically notable corneal edema. Specular microscopy showed endothelial abnormalities in the edematous corneas that were not present in corneas with vitreous contact that remained free of edema. However, those endothelial changes seen in edematous corneas before vitrectomy seemed to persist after vitrectomy and corneal deturgescence. Thus, elimination of vitreous contact may result in clinical reversal of corneal edema despite a prolonged period of vitreous contact and in the face of seemingly irreversible endothelial changes.