Pharmacologic induction of posterior vitreous detachment in the rabbit.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasmin may prove to be a useful biochemical adjunct to mechanical vitrectomy.
Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
T C
TC
Verstraeten
C
C
Chapman
M
M
Hartzer
B S
BS
Winkler
M T
MT
Trese
G A
GA
Williams
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004596:Electroretinography; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure
D005341:Fibrinolysin