A posterior vitreous detachment or PVD occurs when the vitreous gel that fills the eye cavity separates from the retina. The retina, a thin layer of nerve tissue, is responsible for detecting light. The retina turns the detected light into images.
PVD is an age-related occurrence, rarely affecting people under the age of 40. The majority of patients with PVD are 60 years of age or older.
PVD SymptomsWhen the vitreous gel separates from the retina, there are typically two symptoms that people report having–floaters and/or flashes of light.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your eye care professional immediately for a diagnosis and to rule out other complications of the eye.
Our SpecialistIn most cases, a posterior vitreous detachment can be diagnosed with a painless, dilated eye exam. Your eyecare provider will administer drops to your eye to dilate the pupil and then look inside with a lighted instrument. Sometimes additional testing is needed in which case your doctor may use optical coherence tomography (OCT) or ocular ultrasound.
It is vital that you see an eye specialist as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms. If floaters and flashers are accompanied by blurry vision or vision loss, it could be a sign of complications.
PVD usually doesn’t cause vision loss, unless you have other complications such as:
No specific treatment is needed for PVD. Floaters and flashes of light usually subside on their own.
Although complications of PVD are rare, they can be serious. It is important to keep all follow-up appointments with your eye specialist.
If you’ve been referred to Lehigh Eye Specialists for a suspected posterior vitreous detachment, you are in good hands. Our highly skilled retina specialists will ensure a comfortable and thorough exam of your eyes and answer all of your questions. You can expect a warm welcome from our entire team.
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