Real-Time Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Confirms Older Concepts About the Berger Space

BACKGROUND: The presence of a space between the posterior capsule and the anterior vitreous was first reported in 1887, but difficulties inherent in examining this structure made it impossible to visualize this area in vivo until now. Estimation of the size of this space was considered to be impossible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We utilized an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system attached to the Zeiss Opmi Lumera 700/Rescan microscope (Zeiss Ltd., Jena, Germany) to provide real-time images of the Berger space, the anterior hyaloid and the ligament of Wieger.

RESULTS: Imaging in 3 patients provided beautiful, real-time OCT images of the Berger space and of the ligament of Wieger. In one highly myopic eye, there was even evidence of anterior vitreous detachment.

CONCLUSION: Previously unseen transparent structures of the eye can now be imaged intraoperatively using real-time OCT. This new technology seems very promising in achieving a better understanding of the anterior vitreous interface, more specifically of the anterior hyaloid and its posterior capsule attachment by the ligament of Wieger. Changes in the anterior hyaloid and its capsular attachment may contribute to a better understanding of the posterior segment complications after cataract surgery.