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A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Vitreous Humor

Courtney Dryer, OD
Written byCourtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, OD
Courtney Dryer, ODOptometristCharlotte, NC

Bio

Dr. Courtney Dryer earned her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee in 2011. She opened her own practice Autarchic Spec Shop in 2013 in Charlotte, NC. She has had the privilege of writing for numerous optometric publications and serving in various industry capacities. In 2015, Vision Monday named her a rising star and one of the most influential women in optometry. Her optometric passions include practice management, specialty contact lenses, and dry eye management.

  • Last updated December 2, 2022

What is Vitreous Humor?

The vitreous humor is the largest component of the eye. It is a colorless, gelatinous, highly hydrated matrix that fills the posterior (back) part of the eye between the lens and retina. Many proteins that influence retinal physiology can be found within the vitreous humor including growth factors, hormones, proteins with transporter activity, and enzymes.

Key Takeaways

  • Vitreous humor is a colorless, gelatinous material that fills the back of the eye.
  • A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is the separation of vitreous humor from the retina.
  • In rare cases, a PVD can result in a retinal tear and should be examined by an eye doctor.
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Understanding Vitreous Humor

The vitreous humor is the largest and most hydrated component of the eye. This colorless, gelatinous fluid contains many proteins that play a role in retinal health, including growth factors, hormones, proteins with transporter activity, and enzymes.

A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is defined as separation of the posterior vitreous humor from the inner limiting membrane of the retina, most associated with aging. A PVD results from the vitreous becoming more liquid and separating at the adhesion between the vitreous humor and retina. The PVD can cause traction on the retina contributing to a condition called macular pucker, retinal holes or retinal tears.

The vitreous humor can be a significant barrier to the penetration of small particle based ocular drug delivery systems. The gel structure and components of the vitreous impact the rate of medication movement to reach the retinal tissue. Treatments for conditions like wet macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are injected into the vitreous humor. 

Risk Factors for Vitreous Humor

Aging, refractive error, and many eye diseases are factors that can lead to changes in the vitreous humor.

Vitreous Humor Symptoms

The primary symptom resulting from changes in vitreous humor is increased floaters. With age, the vitreous humor liquifies and contracts resulting in tiny black or gray specks or a cobweb-like appearance. Clumps of collagen fibers form within the vitreous and can cast tiny shadows on your retina called floaters. These tend to move around when the eye moves and may become more apparent in certain lighting conditions. 

Floaters warrant a dilated eye exam to ensure no breaks or holes exist in the retina. A retinal detachment can be a serious condition that may present as floaters, flashes of light and/or a curtain-like sensation in one’s vision.

Diagnosing Vitreous Humor

Changes to the vitreous humor can be viewed during a dilated fundus examination. Large changes in the vitreous humor can be identified from photos of the retina.

Vitreous Humor Treatment

Currently, there are no definitive treatments for floaters resulting from liquifying vitreous. However, new onset of floaters warrants an eye exam, and if a retinal hole or tear, or vitreous hemorrhage is discovered, those can be treated.

Bibliography

  1. Mains J, Wilson CG. The vitreous humor as a barrier to nanoparticle distribution. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Mar;29(2):143-50. doi: 10.1089/jop.2012.0138. Epub 2012 Oct 31. PMID: 23113646.
  2. Monteiro JP, Santos FM, Rocha AS, Castro-de-Sousa JP, Queiroz JA, Passarinha LA, Tomaz CT. Vitreous humor in the pathologic scope: insights from proteomic approaches. Proteomics Clin Appl. 2015 Feb;9(1-2):187-202. doi: 10.1002/prca.201400133. Epub 2015 Jan 19. PMID: 25523418.
  3. Sebag J. Posterior Vitreous Detachment. Ophthalmology. 2018 Sep;125(9):1384-1385. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.05.018. Epub 2018 Aug 21. PMID: 30143091.
  4. Zeng Y, Cao D, Yu H, Hu Y, He M, Yang D, Zhuang X, Zhang L. Comprehensive analysis of vitreous humor chemokines in type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. Acta Diabetol. 2019 Jul;56(7):797-805. doi: 10.1007/s00592-019-01317-6. Epub 2019 Mar 25. PMID: 30911832

Related Terms

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Episclera

is a fibroelastic structure consisting of two layers joined together loosely. It is the white of the eye

Dermatochalasis

describes the presence of loose and redundant eyelid skin. It is most often caused by aging

Chemosis

is the swelling of the conjunctiva, which is the clear membrane over the eyelids and the surface of the eye

Pupillometer

is a device that measures the distance between the pupils. The device is used when you order new eyeglasses

Spatial Frequency

describes the rate that a stimulus changes across space. It is usually measured with black and white line gratings

Macula Lutea

also known as the macula, refers to the small area in the back of the eye that is responsible for central vision

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