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What is
Vitreous?

The vitreous is a clear, gel-like substance that fills the area between the lens and the retina. The pressure of the vitreous allows the eye to hold its shape. It also keeps structures like the retina in place. With age, the composition of the vitreous changes. It may liquefy, allowing small bits of debris to float freely.

Sometimes, miniscule collagen fibers clump together within the vitreous. Both create black, spidery flecks called floaters seen in the field of vision. Floaters are generally harmless but will remain within the vitreous unless surgically removed. The changing composition of the vitreous may also cause it to pull on the retina, sometimes resulting in a macular hole or a detached retina.

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25G PPV Without Scleral Buckling for RRD, PVR, Giant Breaks

Feb 14, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles shares his approach to 25G PPV without scleral buckling for RRD, PVR and giant breaks. NOTE: A narration by Dr. Steve Charles will soon be available for this movie- please check back periodically.

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25G Vitreomacular Surgery

Feb 3, 2012

Pearls of wisdom from Dr. Steve Charles for surgeons examining their approach to 25G vitreomacular surgery. NOTE: A narration by Dr. Steve Charles will soon be available for this movie- please check back periodically.

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Acute Partial Vitreous Separation

Mar 3, 2010

This is a partial vitreous separation that demonstrates a mildly reflective curvilinear shape of the partially separated vitreous face. The vitreous is attached inferonasally and inferotemporally, but detached and freely mobile at 6 ... See Full

Asteroid Hyalosis, Posterior Vitreous Separation

Sep 26, 2009

In asteroid hyalosis, accumulations of calcium soaps dispersed throughout the vitreous produce bright echoes in the usually echolucent vitreous. The appearance of asteroid hyalosis should not be confused with that of vitreous hemorrhage or ... See Full

Asteroid Hyalosis, Vitreous Face Attached

Sep 27, 2009

In asteroid hyalosis, accumulations of calcium soaps dispersed throughout the vitreous produce bright echoes in the usually echolucent vitreous. The appearance of asteroid hyalosis should not be confused with that of vitreous hemorrhage or ... See Full

Attached Vitreous With Floaters

Feb 22, 2011

The vitreous is attached and demonstrates aftermovements of formed vitreous as the patient is asked to look to the right and left.  There is mild reflectivity in the formed vitreous from collagen. The optic nerve is visible in the ... See Full

Complete PVD

Dec 22, 2010

This is a sagittal view of a complete posterior detachment demonstrated by the thin preretinal reflection (yellow arrow).  Scleral depression (green arrow) at the ora serrata demonstrates the ability to register ... See Full

Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment

Jan 27, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles discusses his successful approach to performing vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment using 25 gauge.

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ENDOSCOPY: Vitreous Incarceration

Feb 13, 2012

The Pars Plana is visualized with the endoscope. A vitreous cutter attempts to clear the vitreous from the region of the pars plans. Removal of the instrument reveals persistent residual vitreous strands incarcerated in the pars plana ... See Full

Infusion Management

Jan 31, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles offers pearls of wisdom for the management of infusion during ophthalmic surgery. NOTE: A narration by Dr. Steve Charles will soon be available for this movie- please check back periodically.

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Intraocular Foreign Body of Chorid, Vitreous Hemorrhage, Choridal Hemorrhage

Sep 25, 2009

Tilting of the probe coronally reveals foreign body of choroid and choroidal hemorrhage. Foreign body tract is visible from the anterior-temporal to posterior-inferior-nasal position (arrow).
Reverberation echoes creating ... See Full

Management of Ruptured Capsule During Cataract Surgery

Jan 31, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles discussed his well researched approach to managing ruptured capsules experienced during cataract surgery. NOTE: A narration by Dr. Steve Charles will soon be available for this movie- please check back periodically.

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Operculated Tear at the Back Surface

Sep 25, 2009

In this ultrasound movie there is little movement of the vitreous.
Observe the operculated, small, relatively strongly reflective tissue on the detached, mildly reflective, vitreous back surface (yellow arrow).
There is a ... See Full

Partial Vitreous Separation In A High Myope With A Posterior Staphyloma

Sep 27, 2009

This B-scan demonstrates a partial PVD. A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) may occur in a normal aging eye or may be associated with pathology such as vitreous hemorrhage or inflammation. In a normal eye, as in this example, the PVD ... See Full

PVD With Vitreous Attachment To Retinal Tear

Feb 15, 2011

There is a posterior vitreous face separation with remaining attachment to a retinal flap tear. Movement of the tear is visible during voluntary motion of the patient's eye. There is strong reflectivity from the flap tear (yellow ... See Full

PVR, Vitreous Hemorrhage, Sub-retinal Debris

Jan 11, 2011

In this video formed vitreous hemorrhage (yellow arrow) can be seen moving slowly inside this open-coned retinal detachment, which demonstrates no motion.  Subretinal material (green arrow) with moderate reflectivity is ... See Full

Retinal Flap Tear, Vitreous Hemorrhage

Sep 25, 2009

Posterior vitreous detachment extending to the retinal flap tear.
The flap tear is strongly reflective, and the vitreous face is mildy reflective. Mildly refelctive intravitreal material is consistent with vitreous hemorrhage.
The ... See Full

Retinal Tear

Sep 26, 2009

Partial PVD, retinal tear due to vitreous traction.
Posterior vitreous face separation with attachment to retinal flap tear. Movement of the tear is visible during voluntary motion of the patient's eye.
Strong reflectivity of the ... See Full

Surgical Management of Trauma

Feb 13, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles covers his primary steps in managing ocular trauma.

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Surgical Revolution Leads to Evolution

Jan 31, 2012

Dr. Steve Charles examines the process of innovation in ophthalmic surgery. NOTE: A narration by Dr. Steve Charles will soon be available for this movie- please check back periodically.

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Tractional Retinal Detachment Due To Diabetic Retinopathy

Nov 23, 2011

Strong linear reflection involving the posterior globe nasal and temporal to the optic nerve. Vitreous is attached to this linear object. There is no secondary motion, consistent with tractional retinal detachment.
High reflectivity ... See Full

Vitreous & Subretinal Hemorrhage in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Mar 3, 2010

Type 1 CNV (polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy) with vitreous hemorrhage and suprachoroidal hemorrhage.
You can see vitreous face separation with moderately reflective particles within the formed vitreous, consistent with vitreous ... See Full

Featured Content

 Revised November 21, 2011

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