The vitrectomy systems each illustrate different performances of vitreous removal. The physical characteristics of vitreous resulted in nonuniform flow in all vitreous cutters.

Although a number of factors influence flow, the high and relatively constant vitreous flow rates of the new-generation cutters are most likely due to their maintenance of high duty cycle as cut speed increases. The findings illustrate that in optimizing duty cycle, the vitreous flow efficiency of smaller-diameter cutters can match or exceed that of larger diameter cutters.

No abstract