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Pharmacologic induction of posterior vitreous detachment in the rabbit
T C Verstraeten1, C Chapman, M Hartzer
1Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
Objective:
To assay the proteolytic activity of plasmin on the vitreoretinal junction and to assess a potential facilitating effect on posterior vitreous detachment.
Methods:
We injected 1 U of plasmin into the vitreous of rabbits. Some eyes underwent vitrectomy after plasmin injection. Electroretinography and electron microscopy were performed.
Results:
In plasmin-treated eyes, electroretinography displayed a transient (3 days) decreased b-wave amplitude. Histologic examination demonstrated posterior vitreous detachment in eyes that received intravitreal plasmin followed by vitrectomy.
Conclusion:
Plasmin may prove to be a useful biochemical adjunct to mechanical vitrectomy.