Vitreous haemorrhage and vitreal membranes

Autogenous whole blood and fibroblasts were introduced into the vitreous of rabbits and the subsequent fate of these materials was monitored by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Our particular interest was the nature, formation, and development of vitreal membranes. The membranes which form after the introduction of autogenous whole blood consist of organized vitreal collagen, haematogenous debris, macrophages and, in the later stages, effete multinucleate macrophages. Fibroblastic activity and the formation of 640 A banded collagen were not found and although the membranes were persistent they did not produce retinal detachment and retinal changes were minimal. These membranes correspond to the so-called yellow ochre membranes which form in human eyes as a consequence of intravitreal bleeding. These pathological changes may be compared to those found when autogenous dermal fibroblasts are introduced into the vitreous.