Vitreous Wick Syndrome (Vitreous Touch Syndrome) Clinical Presentation

Updated: Feb 14, 2023
  • Author: Manolette R Roque, MD, MBA, FPAO; Chief Editor: Andrew A Dahl, MD, FACS  more...
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Presentation

History

Symptoms of vitreous wick syndrome, also known as vitreous touch syndrome, may include the following:

  • Pain

  • Blurring of vision

  • Itchiness or foreign body sensation

  • Gush of warm fluid

The past ocular history commonly is notable for the following:

  • Recent eye surgery

  • Recent eye trauma

Next:

Physical Examination

Gross findings on physical examination may include the following:

  • Mucous threadlike substance protruding from a surgical site

  • Corneal haze

  • Hypopyon

  • Eye redness

  • Eye discharge

Slit-lamp findings may include the following:

  • Externalized vitreous at the wound site (see image below)

  • Necrotic area around the vitreous wick

  • Peaked pupil

  • Presence or absence of cells and flare

  • Positive Seidel test

  • Corneal haze

  • Hypopyon

    Externalized vitreous with a peaked pupil. Image c Externalized vitreous with a peaked pupil. Image courtesy of Manolette Roque, MD, MBA, Roque Eye Clinic.
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