The vitreous humour plays a very important role in the eyes of embryos and foetuses given that it is actively involved in retinal development. After birth, however, the only role of vitreous humour is as a clear medium and therefore replacement with another clear medium, such as saline solution, has no consequences. There is only one exception: on removing the vitreous humour, cataract development is accelerated in people over the age of 50 years.