Verstraeten T C, Chapman C, Hartzer M, Winkler B S, Trese M T, Williams G A
Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
Arch Ophthalmol. 1993 Jun;111(6):849-54. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1993.01090060139038.
To assay the proteolytic activity of plasmin on the vitreoretinal junction and to assess a potential facilitating effect on posterior vitreous detachment.
We injected 1 U of plasmin into the vitreous of rabbits. Some eyes underwent vitrectomy after plasmin injection. Electroretinography and electron microscopy were performed.
In plasmin-treated eyes, electroretinography displayed a transient (3 days) decreased b-wave amplitude. Histologic examination demonstrated posterior vitreous detachment in eyes that received intravitreal plasmin followed by vitrectomy.
Plasmin may prove to be a useful biochemical adjunct to mechanical vitrectomy.
