HUMAN EYE

MUKUL BANSAL
5. VITEROUS HUMOR

 The vitreous humour (also known simply as the vitreous) is a clear,

colourless fluid that fills the space between the lens and the retina of your
eye. 99% of it consists of water and the rest is a mixture of collagen,
proteins,
salts and sugars. Despite the water-to-collagen ratio, the vitreous has a
firm
jelly-like consistency.
Function of Viterous Humor

 The vitreous performs a vital role in protecting your eye. Most

importantly, it
helps it to hold its ‘spherical’ shape. The vitreous also comes in contact
with
the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that acts like
the
film of a camera). The pressure of the vitreous humour helps to keep the
retina
in place.
Effects of time on Viterous

 As you age, the vitreous liquefies and shrinks, much like a bowl of
gelatin
shrinks with time. Portions of the mixture of collagen and proteins also
become ‘stringy’, like the white of an egg does as it ages. These stringy
entities float around the rest of the vitreous, casting a shadow on the
retina.
These are called ‘floaters’ – you may notice them as specks, strings or
other
shapes that you see just out of the corner of your eye.
Vitreous detachment

 The vitreous itself does not adhere to the retina. However, on the
surface
of your retina there are literally millions of fine fibres. Because the vitreous
shrinks as you age, these fibres can ‘tug’ on the retinal surface. If this
shrinkage causes a section of the fibres to pull away all at once, it is called
a
vitreous detachment. These are common in people over the age of 65 and
extremely common in people over 85.
 A vitreous detachment is more likely to happen if you have suffered from myopia
(short-sightedness), have had an eye injury or if you have experienced eye
inflammation
(uveitis). In itself, a vitreous detachment should cause no problems with your vision
other
than an increase in floaters. While this can be annoying, you should find that they
don’t
affect your day-to-day life. The only risk factor you would face is the slightly increased
chance of a retinal tear or the more serious, retinal detachment.
Vitreous haemorrhage

 If you notice a reddish tint to your vision and your vision is blurred, you
may
be suffering from a vitreous haemorrhage. Although there are no blood
vessels located in the vitreous, there are vessels in the surrounding retina
–a
vitreous haemorrhage can occur when one of these ruptures. Other
symptoms of a vitreous haemorrhage include an increase in floaters and
sensitivity to light.
Retinal tear

 A vitreous detachment will cause a ‘clump’ of the fibres on the surface

of
the retina to create a tear in the sensitive retinal tissue. Even the smallest
of
tears in your retina will need to be treated, because it will increase the risk
of
a retinal detachment. Retinal tears can be sealed with lasers or
cryotherapy.
Retinal detachment

 The most serious disorder involving the vitreous humour, a retinal

detachment, is a medical emergency. It happens when liquid (vitreous)
seeps
through a retinal tear, causing the retina to ‘peel’ away from the
supporting
layers (much like wallpaper peels away from the wall when it’s damp).
Vitrectomy

 There are a number of issues related to the vitreous humour that can
lead
to you requiring a procedure called a ‘vitrectomy’. If you suffer from a
retinal
detachment that threatens the macula, a tear or tears in your retina, a
vitreous haemorrhage or another problem that affects the retina, you may
require this surgical procedure. Your ophthalmologist will remove the
vitreous
and then replace it with silicone gas or oil. This will restore normal
pressure in
your eye.
Thank You!!!!