Vitreous Detachment

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is a natural change that occurs during adulthood, when the vitreous gel that fills the eye separates from the retina, the light-sensing nerve layer at the back of the eye.

Symptoms of a PVD include:

  • Floaters (mobile blurry shadows that obscure the vision)
  • Flashes (streaks of light, usually at the side of the vision)

These symptoms usually become less intense over several weeks. Most patients experience PVD after age 60, once in each eye, and the condition is usually non-sight-threatening but occasionally affects vision more permanently in the event of complication, such as retinal detachment or epiretinal membrane. If you suspect you are having floaters or a posterior vitreous detachment, please call our office to schedule an appointment. Our doctors will dilate your eyes to rule out sight-threatening complications such as a retinal hole, tear or detachment.

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Source: American Society of Retinal Specialists