Centripetal subretinal flow.

An unfamiliar concept, the presence of centripetal flow in the subretinal space, is proposed as explaining the maculopathy of Coats's and von Hippel-Lindau's syndromes. If this flow exists, our recognition of it will contribute to understanding the etiology of other posterior-pole disorders, and possibly to their treatment as well. The obvious and important posterior-pole disorder to which this is applicable is macular degeneration, especially diskiform macular degeneration. Laser treatments designed to reduce the amount of peripheral retinal biologic waste production should reduce the work load of the macular disposal system, thereby prolonging its useful life.