Posterior Vitreous Detachment

The vitreous is the jelly-like material that fills the large central cavity of the eye. Its fibrous components loosely attach it to the retina, the light sensitive layer in the back of the eye. As part of normal aging, the watery elements in the vitreous separate from the fibrous components, and the fibrous elements sometimes separate from the retina, which is called Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD).

What are the symptoms of PVD?

The most common symptoms of PVD are “floaters” or “flashes” that drift across the field of vision. A floater is a small clump of gel that forms in the vitreous. Floaters may be seen as dots, lines, cobwebs, or spiders and easily noticed when reading or looking at a blank wall or a clear sky.

Flashes appear as flashing lights or lightning streaks in the field of vision when there is no light actually flashing. Flashes are similar to the sensation of “seeing stars” after suffering a blow to the head. Flashes are most often noticed at night or in a dark room.

Who is at risk for PVD?

Those at risk for developing PVD include the elderly, and those who are nearsighted or have had serious injuries to the eye.

How is PVD treated?

Currently, there is no medical treatment for this condition. Often the symptoms subside after about six months. The brain tends to adapt to the floaters and eventually ignores them, so they become a problem only in very bright light.

Anyone who experiences a recent onset of flashes or floaters should be examined by an eye care professional. A tear in the retina is found about 10% of time with PVD. If left untreated, a tear may lead to retinal detachment, a serious condition that requires surgery.

Symptoms of Posterior Vitreous Detachment

The most common symptoms of PVD are “floaters” or “flashes” that drift across the field of vision. Floaters may be seen as dots, lines, cobwebs, or spiders and easily noticed when reading or looking at a blank wall or a clear sky. Flashes appear as flashing lights or lightning streaks in the field of vision when there is no light actually flashing.

Do You Have Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

The best way to find out exactly what’s causing your vision problems is to make an appointment with an eye care professional. At Edward M Stroh, MD, PC, we will check your eyes thoroughly to understand the reasons for your vision problems. And we’ll explain your choices for correcting the problems.

Here at Retina Consultants of Long Island we keep up to date on new research and new treatments. Call 516-536-9525 today! to scheduled your appointment.