Vitreoschisis in Eales' disease: pathogenic role and significance in surgery

To report the surgical anatomy of vitreoretinal adhesions as observed intraoperatively in patients undergoing vitreous surgery for complications of Eales' disease.

Eighteen consecutive male patients (18 eyes) undergoing vitrectomy for Eales' disease were studied prospectively. Intraoperative diagnosis was vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in nine cases, traction retinal detachment (TRD) in four, VH and TRD in three, and combined traction-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in two. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) obtained during surgery were studied using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

An incomplete posterior vitreous detachment was observed in all eyes. Multifocal vitreoretinal adhesions were evident in 83.3% of eyes. The proliferation was fibrovascular in 10 eyes and fibrous in eight. A radial traction fold extending from optic disk to periphery was observed in three eyes. A double-layered membrane, probably the result of vitreoschisis, caused tangential traction. ERMs consisted principally of type II collagen and the cellular element was predominantly composed of lymphocytes, glial cells, and macrophage-like cells (probably hyalocytes).

Fibrous and fibrovascular proliferations have multiple areas of adhesions to the posterior vitreous cortex. The presence of type II collagen in the ERM indicates a possible vitreous collagen component to the double-layered membranes (vitreoschisis). Recognition of the double-layered membranes aids in relief of traction during surgery by delamination.