A prospective study of in-office diagnostic vitreous sampling in patients with vitreoretinal pathology.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of in-office vitreous sampling (50-100 microL).


METHODS
A prospective, consecutive case series of 578 diagnostic vitreous sample attempts performed between February 23, 2007 and September 31, 2008. A standardized technique of vitreous sampling followed by intravitreal injection of therapeutic medication was performed. All subjects were followed for adverse events after sampling/injection.


RESULTS
Out of a total of 578 vitreous sampling attempts, a total of 550 positive diagnostic vitreous samples were collected from 157 eyes of 144 patients. There were a total of 28 "dry" samples in 19 subjects (13 females and 6 males). The rate of dry sample was 4.8% (28 of 578). Complications included transient vitreous hemorrhage (n = 3), transient intraocular inflammation (n = 3), localized, chronic retinal detachment (n = 1). None of the complications resulted in permanent visual sequelae. These complications were no different than those expected from intravitreal injection alone.


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective study has shown that in-office vitreous sampling of 50 microL to 100 microL is a safe and reproducible procedure. Larger randomized studies will be helpful to further assess the safety and long-term effects of in-office diagnostic vitreous sampling.
Pfahler
Scott M
SM
National Retina Institute, Towson, Maryland 21204, USA.
Brandford
Angela N
AN
Glaser
Bert M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010824:Physicians' Offices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D014822:Vitreous Body; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology