Effects of intraocular pressure and other factors on subretinal fluid resorption.

We observed the effects of intraocular pressure (IOP), vitreous pressure and gravity on the resorption of small retinal detachments (blebs) made with Hanks' solution or autologous serum. Raising the IOP decreased the absorption time moderately and lowering the IOP increased it. These effects were greater when the RPE had been damaged by sodium iodate or laser burns, but we conclude that IOP makes only a small, limited contribution to normal subretinal fluid absorption. Neither liquefaction of the vitreous nor retinal weight had a significant influence on fluid absorption.