Disorders of the vitreomacular interface

Abstract

The vitreous is one of the largest structures within the eye, comprised of 98% water, and forming the majority -80% -of the water in the globe. The vitreous is attached firmly at the vitreous base, the disc, the macula, and over the retinal blood vessels. It consists of a complex formed by the outer surface of the vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane of the retina. The collagen filaments are oriented parallel to the surface of the retina except at the macula, and this difference in the vitreous arrangement may explain the problem seen in the various vitreoretinal interface disorders. In addition to the macula hole, other vitreoretinal interface disorders include vitreomacular traction syndrome, epimacular membrane, and chronic diabetic macular edema. In chronic diabetic retinal edema, a very taut posterior hyaloid creates traction, neither laser nor injection of medication prove effective.