title: Pharmacologic vitreolysis.
abstract: It is now well recognized that vitreous plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various retinal disorders. In many instances it can be addressed with pars plana vitrectomy, although this approach, like any surgery, has its limitations. The search for alternatives or adjunct to surgery has led to the development of pharmacologic vitreolysis. The use of intravitreal agents to alter the vitreous in order to reduce or eliminate its role in disease seems promising. The purpose of this article is to summarize the present knowledge on pharmacologic vitreolysis. A review of the different agents used and of ongoing trials will be presented. Also, current understanding of vitreous structure and its interaction with the retina will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. marcandre80@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Marc-André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rhéaume
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vavvas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases / Q000494:pharmacology; D017364:Collagenases / Q000494:pharmacology; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000494:pharmacology; D004798:Enzymes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014821:Vitrectomy; D057586:Vitreoretinal Surgery; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C054561:microplasmin; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D010450:Endopeptidases; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D013381:Subtilisins; D005341:Fibrinolysin; D017364:Collagenases; C023139:dispase; D002810:Chondroitinases and Chondroitin Lyases; C053771:nattokinase