OBJECTIVETo evaluate the experimental induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) by intravitreous injection of hyaluronidase and perfluoroethane (C(2)F(6)).

METHODSFifteen rabbits (30 eyes) were divided into 3 experimental groups,the contralateral eyes in same animals served as the controls. Eyes in group A and B were received two vitreous injections of 15 IU of hyaluronidase at an interval of 5 d. The eyes in group C and all control eyes were injected with balanced salt solution (BSS). Seven days after injection, the experimental eyes in group A and C were received 0.5 ml of Fifteen rabbits (30 eyes) were divided into 3 experimental groups, the contralateral eyes in same animals served as the controls. Eyes in group A and B were received two vitreous injections of 15 IU of hyaluronidase at an interval of 5 d. The eyes in group C and all control eyes were injected with balanced salt solution (BSS). Seven days after injection,the experimental eyes in group A and C were received 0.5 ml of C(2)F(6) injection. The ocular and retinal signs were examined for 8 following weeks and then killed for histological examination.

RESULTFive eyes in group A (100.0%) showed complete separation of the vitreous cortex from the retina (PVD), three eyes in group B(60.0%) showed partial PVD, and no PVD was detected in group C and all control eyes. On electroretinogram no significant difference was found in amplitude and latency of a-(or b-) wave in both experimental and control eyes, between before and after experiments. No evidence of ocular or retinal toxicity was revealed by light or scanning electronic microscopy in all eyes.

CONCLUSIONVitreous injection of hyaluronidase combined with perfluoroethane, as a safety method, can induce posterior vitreous detachment without mechanical vitrectomy.