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Disease

Vitreous Detachment

 

 

 

Definition: A vitreous detachment (VD) is an ocular condition in which there is a separation of the vitreous humor from the retina.

Causes: The vitreous humor fills the eye behind the lens. At birth it is attached to the retina. Over time the vitreous changes, shrinking and developing pockets of liquefaction, similar to the way a gelatin dessert shrinks, or detaches, from the edge of a pan over time. At some stage the vitreous may peel away from the retina. This can be, and usually is, a sudden event.

When a vitreous detachment occurs, there is also the possibility of a tear in the retina. If this happens, it increases the risk of retinal detachment. This can be caused by the vitreous fluid seeping under the tear and creating pressure between the retina and the back of the eye. Also, a firmly-adhered vitreous can create traction on the retina, tearing it. After the initial VD event, the chance for retinal detachment happening lessens over time but can occur for about 3 months after the event.

A vitreous detachment is a common condition that usually affects people over age 50, and is very common after age 80. People who are nearsighted are also at increased risk. Those who have a vitreous detachment in one eye are likely to have one in the other, although it may not happen until years later.

Signs & Symptoms:

    • flashes of light (photopsia) - very brief in the extreme temporal (outside away from the nose) part of vision
    • a sudden dramatic increase in the number of floaters
    • a ring of floaters or hairs just to the temporal side of the central vision
    • a slight feeling of heaviness in the eye sometimes accompanied by slight nausea similar to very mild shock

Diagnostic Testing: 

Treatment: In most cases, a vitreous detachment is not sight-threatening and requires no treatment.

Although a vitreous detachment does not threaten sight, once in a while some of the vitreous fibers pull so hard on the retina that they create a macular hole or lead to a retinal detachment. Both of these conditions are sight-threatening and should be treated immediately. If left untreated, a macular hole or detached retina can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye.