Histopathological findings after pars plana vitrectomy with a new hypersonic vitrector

Purpose Assess morphological changes in the retina and optic nerve head (ONH) after pars plana vitrectomy with a new prototype ultrasound‐based hypersonic vitrector (HV). Methods Six porcine cadaveric eyes, 6 human cadaveric eyes and 14 live porcine eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using the HV or a pneumatic guillotine vitrector (GV). One extra eye from each porcine group had no procedure done, being used as a control. Eyes were fixed in formalin, examined macroscopically and processed for histological assessment. Microscopic analysis included assessment of any morphological intraocular change especially to the retina and ONH. Comparison was made between non‐vitrectomized (intenal control) and vitrectomized areas, respectively nasal and temporal to ONH . Results There were no macroscopic retinal or ONH defects associated with either HV or GV PPVs. Microscopically, cadaveric human and porcine retinas showed focal vacuolization and fragmentation at the nerve fibre layer and the ganglion cell layer as well as separation of the inner limiting membrane (ILM). Eyes from live swines following PPV with both vitrectors showed ILM fragmentation and separation. There were no differences between the ‘non‐vitrectomized’ nasal (control) and vitrectomized temporal areas of the ONH with HV. Conclusions Morphological examination of retina and ONH with light microscopy after PPV showed similar features using the HV or the GV. The HV might be a promising new alternative to the currently commercially available GV for PPV.