Posterior vitreous detachment

Background

• Separation of posterior vitreous from the retina, as a result of vitreous degeneration

and shrinkage

• Age-related event (prevalence):
  • 50-59 yrs = 24%
  • 80-90 yrs = 87
• Risk factors
  • myopia
  • trauma
  • intraocular inflammation
• in the majority of cases PVD is benign
• in acute phase, concern is for causing retinal tear, which can lead to retinal detachment
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment of retinal detachment can prevent impending

vision loss or can restore vision

Diagnosis

• May be asymptomatic
• More frequently:
  • Floaters
    • A sensation of gray or dark spots moving in the visual field
    • Caused either by light bending at the interface of fluid pockets in the vitreous jelly or cells located within the vitreous
    • May persist for months to years
  • Flashes
    • Monocular, repeated, brief flashes of white light in the peripheral visual field
    • related to traction on the peripheral retina from areas of tightly adherent vitreous jelly