{"id":1864,"date":"2026-10-20T08:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/vitreous-body\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:57:29","slug":"vitreous-body","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/vitreous-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitreous Humor of the Eye: What It Is, Where It Is and What It Does"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Vitreous Humor of the Eye: What It Is, Where It Is and What It Does<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Vitreous Humor of the Eye: What It Is, Where It Is and What It Does<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Vitreous body<\/strong> (also vitreous humor, UK vitreous humour, or simply “the vitreous”; noun)<\/em>: the vitreous body is the clear, jelly-like gel that fills the large space between the lens and the retina at the back of the eye. It makes up about four-fifths of the eye’s volume, holds the eyeball in its round shape and lets light pass through to the retina. It is about 98\u201399% water, and as we age it slowly shrinks and liquefies, which is why most people eventually notice floaters.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t

    Vitreous humor of the eye: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Where it is<\/span><\/dt>
    Behind the lens and in front of the retina, filling the vitreous chamber (vitreous cavity)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Share of the eye<\/span><\/dt>
    About four-fifths (80%) of the eyeball’s volume; roughly 4 mL in an adult<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>What it is made of<\/span><\/dt>
    About 98\u201399% water, plus a fine network of type II collagen fibres, hyaluronic acid and salts<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Consistency<\/span><\/dt>
    A clear gel with no blood vessels, two to four times as viscous as water<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Is it replaced?<\/span><\/dt>
    No. Unlike the aqueous humor, the vitreous is not continuously renewed<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Main jobs<\/span><\/dt>
    Gives the eye its round shape and a clear path for light to the retina<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Common problems<\/span><\/dt>
    Floaters, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears and detachment, bleeding into the vitreous<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Retina specialist (ophthalmologist); at Laser Istanbul Clinic, Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer and Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    Do\u00e7. Dr. means Associate Professor of Ophthalmology.<\/p>\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

    \n\t\t
    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Where is the vitreous humor located? The vitreous chamber of the eye<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    The vitreous humor sits in the back of the eye, between the lens in front and the retina behind. This space is called the vitreous chamber<\/strong> (or vitreous cavity), and it is by far the largest compartment of the eye. From front to back, light entering the eye passes through the cornea, the aqueous humor, the pupil and the lens, then crosses the vitreous gel before landing on the retina.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    The vitreous is not simply floating loose. It is attached to its surroundings at a few key places:<\/p>\n