Subretinal fluids: lipid analyses.

Lipid was found to accumulate in the subretinal space during rhegnatogenous retinal detachment. The concentration of lipid in the subretinal fluid varied between 0.1 to 2.4 mg. per milliliter. Based upon a comparison of lipid profiles and lipoprotein profiles, the amount of lipid observed in the subretinal fluids was not directly related to the permeability of the ocular vessels. Thin-layer chromatography analyses of lipid in subretinal fluids showed differences between the lipid composition of the subretinal fluid and blood. The major characteristic of lipid composition of subretinal fluid is the low concentration of lecithin, which is the major lipid compound in the serum. The present data indicate that the lipids of ocular tissues are released into the subretinal space during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and are adsorbed on albumin.