WHAT IS IT?
Vitreous detachment, also known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), is a condition that can happen to your eyes as you get older. Your eye has a clear gel-like substance called the vitreous that fills the space between the lens and the retina. As you age, the vitreous can become more liquid, and pieces of it may break away from the retina. This is called vitreous detachment.
Most people with vitreous detachment do not experience any symptoms, but some may see flashes of light, floaters, or a sudden increase in the number of floaters. Floaters are tiny specks or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision.
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They may also use a special tool called a slit lamp to get a closer look at the back of your eye.
In some cases, vitreous detachment can lead to more serious conditions, such as a retinal tear or detachment. If this happens, you may need surgery to repair the tear or detachment.
There is no way to prevent vitreous detachment from happening, but you can reduce your risk of developing more serious conditions by seeing your eye doctor regularly and reporting any changes in your vision right away.
CAUSES
Vitreous detachment is a natural part of aging and does not require treatment in most cases. However, if you experience a sudden increase in the number of floaters, flashes of light, or a loss of vision, you should see an eye doctor immediately.
TREATMENTS
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They may also use a special tool called a slit lamp to get a closer look at the back of your eye.
In some cases, vitreous detachment can lead to more serious conditions, such as a retinal tear or detachment. If this happens, you may need surgery to repair the tear or detachment.
There is no way to prevent vitreous detachment from happening, but you can reduce your risk of developing more serious conditions by seeing your eye doctor regularly and reporting any changes in your vision right away.
Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to check for any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They may also use a special tool called a slit lamp to get a closer look at the back of your eye.
In some cases, vitreous detachment can lead to more serious conditions, such as a retinal tear or detachment. If this happens, you may need surgery to repair the tear or detachment.
There is no way to prevent vitreous detachment from happening, but you can reduce your risk of developing more serious conditions by seeing your eye doctor regularly and reporting any changes in your vision right away.
SUMMARY
To sum it up, vitreous detachment is a common condition that can happen as you get older, causing floaters and flashes of light. Most cases do not require treatment, but if you experience sudden changes in your vision, you should see an eye doctor immediately. Your eye doctor may perform a comprehensive eye exam and use a slit lamp to check for any other conditions. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair a retinal tear or detachment. Regular eye exams and reporting any changes in your vision can help reduce the risk of more serious conditions.