Biochemical Studies of Subretinal Fluid

Abstract

The protein content of subretinal fluid (SRF) from idiopathic retinal detachment has been of interest since 1893 when Rahlmann 1 reported a high percentage of albumin and concluded that this fluid must be a transudate from the choroidal vessels. Although for a time this idea became obscured by the popular concept that SRF came from the vitreous through ruptures in the retina, recent work has led to a revival of the transudate theory. In a previous paper, 4 we reported ascorbic acid findings together with protein studies which indicated a compound, blood/vitreous source, rather than a single origin, for subretinal fluid. The earlier literature on this controversy has been well reviewed by Magitot 2 and Longhena. 3 Both of these authors confirmed the observation that SRF contains more protein than does normal vitreous (Magitot, 17 cases; Longhena, 30 cases). Although more recent detachments in their cases tended to have low-protein