INSOLUBLE INTERPHOTORECEPTOR MATRIX IN HUMAN VITREOUS AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL-DETACHMENT

PURPOSE: To determine whether insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix is p resent in the vitreous of human eyes after rhegmatogenous retinal deta chment. METHODS: Vitreous aspirates were collected from 12 eyes of 12 patients during retinal reattachment surgery or membrane peeling for r hegmatogenous retinal detachment-related macular epiretinal membranes between 1 day and 5 months after patients' initial rhegmatogenous reti nal detachment symptoms. The aspirates were pelleted by centrifugation , embedded in acrylamide, sectioned, and incubated with fluorescein is othiocyanate-conjugated peanut agglutinin and an interphotoreceptor ma trix-specific polyclonal antibody, designated 1-89B. RESULTS: Before s urgery, 11 of 12 eyes exhibited pigment in the anterior vitreous (Shaf er's sign). Morphologic and histochemical characteristic profiles of i nsoluble interphotoreceptor matrix domains, bound by fluorescein isoth iocyanate-conjugated peanut agglutinin or polyclonal antibody 1-89B, o r both, were identified in vitreous aspirates from 11 of 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence that insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix constituents gain access to the vitreous af ter rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Furthermore, insoluble interpho toreceptor matrix may remain in the vitreous for several months withou t being degraded.