During gestation, when does the secondary vitreous start to develop?

The secondary vitreous begins to form around the 9th week of gestation. This developmental stage is critical as the eye is rapidly maturing, and the formation of the secondary vitreous is essential for the proper development of the eye structure and function. The secondary vitreous is composed mainly of hyaluronan and collagen and serves to support the retina during its differentiation and maturation.

Around the 9th week, significant changes are happening, and this timing is consistent with the development of other ocular structures as well. Early in gestation, the primary vitreous is present, but as the eye progresses, the secondary vitreous begins to replace it, providing the necessary support and shape to the developing eye. Understanding this timeline is crucial for recognizing the complexities of eye development during gestation.