What Is the Vitreous?

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Question:
What is a gel sack in the eye? Where in the eye is it located and what does it do?    

Answer:
The "gel sack" is called the vitreous which constitutes about 80 percent of the volume of the eye. The vitreous is a clear gel that maintains the shape of the eye and provides a clear pathway for light to reach the retina. It is located behind the lens and iris and in front of the retina. In some diseases, the vitreous can become cloudy or opacified. In this situation, the vitreous can be removed with an operation called vitrectomy.

Answered by: George Williams, MD

Categories: General Eye Health

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