Experimental vitreous syneresis.

Perfluoropropane gas was injected into the vitreous body of a primate eye. Clinical and morphologic studies revealed that the gas bubble created a large cavity within the vitreous. The cavity that subsequently filled with viscous liquid was completely enveloped by vitreous gel, thus simulating the clinical condition known as vitreous syneresis. The shell of residual vitreous, which was much thicker inferiorly and behind the lens than superiorly, seemed to be an intact and continuous layer. In spite of the extensive syneresis, posterior vitreous detachment failed to develop. Our findings suggest that a vitreous cavity, voluminous as it may be, is not sufficient to cause posterior vitreous detachment in the primate eye.