Applied Anatomy for the Vitreoretinal Surgeon

This chapter highlights the practical anatomy relevant to vitreoretinal surgery including gross and microscopic anatomy and biochemistry of the vitreous and retina. This includes the anatomy of ciliary body and lens which is important to understand when placing vitrectomy trocars in infants or adults. The vitreous base, strongly adherent to the retina, presents a frequent site for retinal tears. The vitreous body, being highly viscoelastic, mitigates the forces transmitted to vitreous attachments during eye movements, explaining the prevalence of retinal tears in the supertemporal retina. The book chapter also discusses practical aspects related to the microscopic anatomy of the retina, including the structure of the internal limiting membrane and the role of Muller cells in providing mechanical and biochemical support to the fovea and its implication in epiretinal membranes. Understanding the extraocular muscles, sclera, blood, and nerve supply of the globe is essential when administering regional ocular anesthesia and for scleral buckle surgery.