title: [The role of the vitreous body in diseases of neighboring structures].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vitreoretinal interface is not merely the space between the vitreous body and the retina but it is also a site for highly complex pathologies with the vitreous body exerting an influence on all the neighbouring structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed in Pubmed and current book articles
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review article highlights the role of the vitreous body in vitreomacular adhesion and traction, in the development of macular holes and epiretinal membranes as well as its role in age-related macular degeneration. In the retinal periphery the vitreous structures play a pivotal role in retinal tears and detachment as well as in diabetic and other proliferative vitreoretinopathies. The role of the vitreous bodyin the emergence of various forms of cataract is often underestimated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitreo-etinal surgeons should thoroughly understand the pathophysiological relationship between the vitreous body and the neighboring structures, especially in the era of medical vitreolysis.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik des Klinikums Stuttgart, Kriegsbergstraße 60, 70174, Stuttgart, Deutschland, k.gekeler@klinikum-stuttgart.de.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gekeler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Priglinger
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gekeler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Priglinger
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000503:physiopathology*