A posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD, is an eye condition that is quite common with age. This condition is a natural part of the aging process but can cause other, more problematic conditions.
What is the Vitreous?
Inside the eye, there is a jelly-like substance that helps protect the eye and keep the round shape of the eye. This substance is called the vitreous.
The vitreous is typically completely clear and does not have any internal structures like blood vessels or nerves.
Since the vitreous is clear, it allows light to pass through it without any interference.
While the vitreous is clear and has no other structures, it still serves various purposes in the eye.
The vitreous is a storage vehicle for nutrients like glucose or amino acids, protects the inner portion of the eye from damage, and helps maintain the round shape of the eyes.
What Causes a Posterior Vitreous Detachment?
A posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous pulls on its attachment to the retina and breaks away from the retina.
The vitreous is very tightly attached to different parts of the eye including the retina.
When the vitreous changes and begins to pull on these attachments it can break away and result in a PVD.
With age, the vitreous begins to condense and form solid areas within the vitreous. This condensation of the vitreous creates a pulling force which can lead to a posterior vitreous detachment.
While a posterior vitreous detachment may occur spontaneously due to normal age-related changes, it may also be caused by blunt force trauma to the eye.
This trauma can cause the vitreous to shake or pull away from the retina.
What are the Signs of a PVD?
The biggest sign associated with a posterior vitreous detachment is a new onset, large floater.
This floater is called a Weiss Ring and is composed of remnants of retinal tissue which pulled off of the retina when the vitreous became detached.
Fortunately, in most cases the large floater will settle to the bottom or break apart and will not cause prolonged symptoms.
Other symptoms of a posterior vitreous detachment include the onset of many small floaters in the vision, a flash of light, or a sense of dimming of the vision.
The Complications of a Posterior Vitreous Detachment
While a posterior vitreous detachment it not harmful in and of itself, it can lead to a variety of more severe conditions including a retinal detachment or retinal tear.
A retinal detachment occurs when the sensory portion of the retina is completely separated from the underlying tissue.
A retinal tear occurs when there is a break in the internal retinal membrane, but it is confined to one area of the retina.
A posterior vitreous detachment may cause either a retinal detachment or a retinal tear due to the traction of the vitreous pulling on the retina.
When to See Your Eye Doctor
If you suspect you may be having or have had a posterior vitreous detachment, it is important to visit your eye doctor to have a full dilated eye exam.
By having a dilated eye exam, you are able to verify that the PVD did not cause a retinal tear or retinal detachment and ensure that everything is normal or expected.
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