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Vitreous

Is it possible for an opthamologist to see if the vitreous is still attached to the retina?  One MD said that it's impossible to know if the vitreous has completely detached b/c the vitreous is transparent; another MD said that it is possible to tell if a vitreous has completely detached. Obviously, the two comments are contradictory.  I've checked online for an answer, but can only find the definition of the vitreous or the description of a PVD.  Would you please help settle the confusion?  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
There are multiple ways to determine if the vitreous has detached. It can often be determined clinically during the exam.  Using additional diagnostic testing such as B-Scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography can usually allow one to determine with good certainly whether there is either a complete or partial vitreous detachment.

The vitreous is transparent in that it is 99% water. But there are fibers within the vitreous made of collagen and other connective tissue elements. These can usually be appreciated with ease on exam during slit-lamp biomicroscopy of the vitreous.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your thoughtful, honest - and prompt! - reply.
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284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sometimes you can tell - but it's not always easy.  You have to have an excellent view.  My retinal specialist friends can usually tell a little better than me.  So the answer is sometimes you can tell  - it all depends on your view, and your skill.
Michael Kutryb, MD
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