Vitreous Body

Vitreous Body

Basic Knowledge

Importance of the vitreous body for the eye: 

The vitreous body stabilizesthe globe although the eye can remain intact without the vitreous body (see vitrectomy). It also prevents retinal detachment.

Embryology: 

The development of the vitreous body can be divided into threephases:

❖ First phase (first month of pregnancy; fetus measures 5 – 13 mm craniumto coccyx): The primary vitreous forms during this period. This phase is characterized by the entry of mesenchyme into the optic cup through the embryonic choroidal fissure. The main function of the primary vitreous is to supply the developing lens with nourishment. In keeping with this func-tion, it consists mainly of a vascular plexus, the anterior and posteriortunica vasculosa lentis, that covers the anterior and posterior surfaces ofthe lens. This vascular plexus is supplied by the hyaloid artery and its branches (Fig. 11.1). This vascular system and the primary vitreous regress as the posterior lens capsule develops at the end of the second month of pregnancy.

❖ Second phase (second month of pregnancy; fetus measures 14 – 70 mmcranium to coccyx): The secondary vitreous forms during this period. This avascular vitreous body consisting of fine undulating collagen fibers develops from what later becomes the retina. In normal development it expands to compress the central primary vitreous into a residual central canal (hyaloid canal or Cloquet’s canal).

❖ Third phase (third month of pregnancy; fetus measures 71 – 110 mmcranium to coccyx): The tertiary vitreous develops from existing struc-tures in the secondary vitreous. The secondary vitreous remains. The zonule fibers that form the suspensory ligament of the lens develop duringthis period.

Composition of the vitreous body: 

The gelatinous vitreous body consists of98% water and 2% collagen and hyaluronic acid. It fills the vitreous chamber, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total volume of the eye.

Stabilization and confines of the vitreous body: 

With their high negativeelectrostatic potential, the hyaluronic acid molecules fill the three-dimen-sional collagen fiber network and provide mechanical stability. Condensationof peripheral collagen fibrils creates aboundary membrane(hyaloid mem-brane), which isnot a basement membrane.It is attached to adjacent struc-tures at the following locations (Fig. 11.2):

❖At the ligament of Wieger along the posterior capsule of the lens.

❖At the vitreous base at the ora serrata.

❖  At the funnel of Martegiani (approximately 10 µm wide) surrounding the periphery of the optic disk.

The connections between the vitreous body and retina are generally loose although there may be firm focal adhesions. These firmer focal attachments cause problems during vitreous detachment because they do not permit the vitreous body to become completely detached. The focal adhesions between the vitreous body and retina produce focal traction forces that act on the retina and can cause retinal tears and detachment.

Neurovascular supply: 

The vitreous body contains neither blood vessels nornerves. As a result, pathogens can multiply undisturbed for a relatively long time before the onset of an immune response from adjacent structures.