Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Flashers and floaters can indicate posterior vitreous detachment, which affects 66% of people 66-86. At Atlantic Retina Consultants in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Rockledge, Florida, experienced optometrists Hetal Vaishnav, MD, Gary Ganiban, MD, and their team diagnose and treat this condition and screen for other potential eye diseases. Schedule an eye exam by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.

What is posterior vitreous detachment?

Posterior vitreous detachment is when the gel in your eyeball separates from the retina at the back of your eye. While common with aging, posterior vitreous detachment can cause floaters and flashers. It doesn’t threaten your eyesight, but posterior vitreous detachment could cause complications that will affect your vision.

What are the symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment?

The symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment include:

• Flashers (seeing light flashes)
• Floaters (seeing specks in your vision)
• Seeing shadows of gray or black

The symptoms could be mild, becoming less noticeable over time. Posterior vitreous detachment usually isn’t painful. 

What increases the risk of posterior vitreous detachment?

Risk factors for developing posterior vitreous detachment include:

• Being over 50
• Having posterior vitreous detachment in the other eye
• Nearsightedness
• Eye injury
• Eye surgery
• Diabetes

Posterior vitreous detachment typically doesn’t cause vision loss unless there’s another complication, like a macular hole, macular pucker, retinal detachment, or a retinal tear. However, complications generally occur in less than 15% of people with vitreous degeneration.

How is posterior vitreous detachment diagnosed?

Diagnosing posterior vitreous detachment involves discussing your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Your eye doctor checks your vision and completes a comprehensive eye exam to look for signs of problems.

They dilate your pupils using eyedrops to get a clear, unobstructed view of the insides of your eyes. You might also need an eye imaging procedure, such as a painless ocular ultrasound. Your provider reviews the results to determine if you’re a candidate for treatment.

How is posterior vitreous detachment treated?

Your treatment plan for posterior vitreous detachment will depend on your symptoms, how severe your condition is, and whether you have an underlying medical problem.

Your provider might suggest watchful waiting, as posterior vitreous detachment doesn’t require treatment unless there’s a complication. You might need medications, eye injections, or eye surgery if a complication develops.

Follow up with the Atlantic Retina Consultants team as directed to monitor your eye health, evaluate your vision, and screen for further problems.

Schedule an evaluation at Atlantic Retina Consultants by phone or request one online today to determine if you have posterior vitreous detachment.