Anatomical and topographical features of anterior vitreous cortex

Introduction. The vitreous body (VB) is limited by anterior cortex (AC) layers, consisting of densely interconnected collagen fibers. There is no consensus regarding the structural AC organization and its relationship with the structures of the eyeball.Purpose. To study the anatomical and topographical features of the anterior cortical layers of VB.Material and methods. We developed an original method for contrasting the VB structures using an ultra-fine Vitreokontrast suspension based on a water-insoluble inorganic salt of barium sulfate in the isotonic solution. The study was performed in 20 cadaveric donor eyes. the original technology. Dissection was carried out according to a proposed original technology. The scleral incision was made at a 4mm distance from the limbus along the circumference. Then we cut the sclera between the rectus muscles, then the petals of choroid and retina were formed, and also they were cut off. Then we cut the sclera between the rectus muscles, then the petals of choroid and retina were formed, and also cut them off. We stained the vitreous structures using the Vitreokontrast suspension with a sequential removal of the anterior cortex up to the posterior lens capsule.Results. After the cortex removal in the cadaveric donor eyes several membranous structures (on an average of four) were detected with a covering the retrolental space with an ability to exfoliate, with sites of the attachment to the Wieger ligament and fibers of ciliary zonula and pars plana. After the removal of the membranous structures and their restaining a layer of vitreous fibers was contrasted on the posterior capsule of the lens in the area of Berger space projection. Conclusion. The study revealed no case of a true full anterior cortex detachment. The anterior cortex exfoliation occurred with the formation of a multilayer membranous structure, covering the posterior surface of lens and ciliary body.The presence of vitreous fibers closely associated with the posterior capsule of the lens in the projection area of Berger space, allows to suppose a possibility of retrolental bag existence, one of walls of which is associated with the posterior lens capsule.