Synonyms in a broader sense

Medical: Corpus vitreum

English: vitreous

definition

The vitreous humor is part of the eye. It fills a large part of the posterior chamber and is primarily used to maintain the shape of the eyeball (Bulbus oculi) responsible. Changes to the vitreous humor can lead to vision problems in the broader sense.

Vitreous anatomy

Of the Vitreous lies as a spherical, transparent structure inside the eye. Towards the front it is limited by the lens, backwards through the Retina (retina).
He is about 98% from water, the remaining 2% do Collagen fibers and Hyaluronic acid molecules out. Hyaluronic acid belongs to the Glycosaminoglycans (Abbr .: GAG, polysaccharides) which together form part of the extracellular matrix of the body. So they fill the space between the cells.
Many of the glycosaminoglycans - so too Hyaluronic acid - Due to their structure, they are able to bind a lot of water, they have a high water-binding capacity. Their surroundings are often of a jelly-like consistency.
So does the vitreous humor of the eye.

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Illustration: Horizontal section through the left eyeball, seen from below
  1. Cornea - Cornea
  2. Dermis - Sclera
  3. Iris - iris
  4. Radiation body - Corpus ciliary
  5. Choroid - Choroid
  6. Retina - retina
  7. Anterior chamber of the eye -
    Camera anterior
  8. Chamber angle -
    Angulus irodocomealis
  9. Posterior chamber of the eye -
    Camera posterior
  10. Eye lens - Lens
  11. Vitreous - Corpus vitreum
  12. Yellow spot - Macula lutea
  13. Blind spot -
    Discus nervi optici
  14. Optic nerve (2nd cranial nerve) -
    Optic nerve
  15. Main line of sight - Axis opticus
  16. Axis of the eyeball - Axis bulbi
  17. Lateral rectus eye muscle -
    Lateral rectus muscle
  18. Inner rectus eye muscle -
    Medial rectus muscle

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

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Function of the vitreous

Everyone Beam of light traverses the entire vitreous humor after being at Cornea (Cornea) and lens - depending on the angle of incidence - was broken and bundled.

He then falls on the one behind that Vitreous lying retina in which the Photoreceptors lie. These convert light stimuli into electrical signals, which are the beginning of a complex signal cascade that extends into Central nervous system is enough to take care of the creation of the image that we see at its end.
The vitreous itself is primarily responsible for maintaining the rounded shape of the eyeball due to its spherical shape with which it fills a large part of the posterior chamber. In addition, its transparency is a prerequisite for the incident light rays falling on the retina unhindered.

Changes and diseases

Serious diseases of the Vitreous are rather rare. However, there are some processes in which it can lead to impaired vision.
However, this rarely changes Visual acuity (VA) per se, but rather disturbing spots or spots in the visual field of the affected person Eye. With a vitreous detachment, the rear part of the vitreous becomes partially detached from the Retina. This can - depending on the severity - lead to "spots or streaks" of the affected person. With a vitreous detachment there is a risk of simultaneous Retinal detachment, which represents an ophthalmological emergency.

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A clouding of the vitreous usually leads to the small dots known as "Mouches volantes" (French - flying mosquitoes) which move as if floating through the field of vision. To a certain extent, this phenomenon is physiological (i.e. normal) and can occur even at a young age.
It affects visual acuity in these cases (VA) Not. A significant increase in floaters, on the other hand, can be an indication of a pathology, such as a vitreous detachment or a vitreous hemorrhage and should then be clarified by a doctor.

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Vitreous shrinkage

Vitreous body shrinkage is a slowly progressing reduction in size of the vitreous body. The cause are degenerative processes, which can be different in each person. The vitreous loses its shape with age. Due to the clumping of stabilizing fibers, the vitreous humor can no longer store enough water to completely fill the inside of the eye.

If the vitreous shrinks more, the vitreous detachment can occur. Since the retina is no longer adequately stabilized, it can peel off as a result. Even if the vitreous humor is glued to the retina, it can damage it by shrinking it. However, this is the exception.

Vitreous body shrinkage is often not noticed. Most of the time so-called "floaters" (French: flying mosquitoes) occur, which can be perceived as annoying. They are usually harmless. However, if they appear suddenly or in large quantities, they can indicate damage to the eye. Flashes of light caused by irritation of the retina should be examined by an ophthalmologist. The same applies to the so-called "soot rain". These are many small dark spots that are suddenly noticed. They can be signs of retinal damage.

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Read more on this topic at: Vitreous detachment

Vitreous detachment

With age, the vitreous body shrinks and changes its consistency. While it still has the consistency of thick pudding in children, it becomes more and more liquid with age. The reason for this is a separation of stabilizing fibers and water, which makes up about 98% of the glass body.

The vitreous body develops an irregular shape that no longer fits smoothly against the retina and shrinks slightly. Free water collects in the resulting crevices. A gap forms between the vitreous humor and the retina. At the front of the eye, the vitreous is more firmly fixed, which means that there is usually no detachment here.

Vitreous detachment is widespread and in most cases harmless. It occurs in around 65% of all people over the age of 60. Those affected often complain about "floaters". These are serpentine or point-like shapes that are mainly seen when looking at bright surfaces. In addition, flashes of light can be perceived as a result of irritation to the retina.

Even if the vitreous detachment is usually harmless, it can lead to more threatening diseases such as retinal detachment.

More on this:

  • Vitreous detachment

Vitreous opacity

The vitreous humor degenerates with age. The normally evenly distributed support fibers separate from the water content and clump together. This creates denser structures, that can catch light. Since the vitreous body lies directly in front of the retina, these light-tight shapes are perceived by the person concerned in the field of vision. The perceived shapes are referred to as "Mouches volantes" (French: flying mosquitoes). These are mostly serpentine lines or points.

The Visual acuity is of it not affected. Mouches floaters are mainly perceived against a light background. Even people with a non-clouded vitreous body sometimes see these shapes. A sudden increase in number and density these phenomena should, however, from one Ophthalmologist clarified be as they too Harbingers of Serious Diseases could be.

Will the Mouches floaters Perceived as very annoying or there is a risk of complications, an operation can be useful. In the so-called Vitrectomy become Surgically removed parts of the vitreous and replaced with saline. Laser vitreolysis is a modern method. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages and must be discussed in detail with the attending physician.

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Vitreous hemorrhage

The actual vitreous body has no blood vessels. The vitreous hemorrhage is therefore one Bleeding into the vitreous humor. The blood comes from the vessels of the eye surrounding it.

If blood spreads in the body, it follows the path of least resistance. While the eye is enclosed from the outside by the sinewy leather skin, the glass body is soft and malleable. Inflowing blood can therefore spread almost unhindered.

Because the vitreous barely from Nerve endings is streaked, is the vitreous hemorrhage often not painful. The affected patients mostly complain reddish discoloration and Clouding of their field of vision. If the vitreous hemorrhage is severe, the Eyesight thereby strong limited be.

The possible causes a vitreous hemorrhage diverse. Often it is a External force acting on the eye, for example a punch. She can also do the Consequence of inflammatory diseases be when eye vessels are damaged. High blood pressure also damages the blood vessels in the eye. When the rare Eales Syndrome vitreous hemorrhage occurs, among other things. No exact causes are known for this disease.


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