Experimental retinal detachment. Biophysical aspects of retinal peeling and stretching.

Abstract

To simulate traction by organized vitreous, the retina was peeled off pigment epithelium in strips of rabbit eye tissue at rates between 2 and 210 mm/min. At lower peeling rates (2 mm/min) the detachment between retina and pigment epithelium was smooth. At the highest rate (210 mm/min) the detachment was jerky and irregular and sometimes occurred between choroid and sclera. When the release was smooth, the force required to detach the retina was found to increase proportionally to the logarithm of the peeling rate. This relationship indicates that the retina is bonded to the pigment epithelium by a viscoelastic substance, probably mucopolysaccharides, located between the retina and pigment epithelium. The retina stretches during peeling. Elongation is greater at lower peeling rates; at higher rates, the retina stiffens and elongation is less pronounced.