what is PVD?
| who is at risk? | risk
factors for PVD | symptoms
& diagnosis | treatment
What
is a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)?
 The
center of the eye is filled with a jelly-like substance called
the "vitreous". At a young age, this jelly substance is very
thick with a consistency somewhat like "jello". With time, this
jelly substance becomes more liquefied.
The vitreous is usually completely attached to the retina, which
is the light sensitive seeing membrane in the back of the eye.
As the vitreous jelly becomes progressively liquefied, it begins
to move around inside the eye. Eventually, the vitreous becomes
so loose that it "pulls away" from the retina behind it. This
is called a "Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)".
Who
is at risk for a Vitreous Detachment?
Although a Vitreous detachment may occur at any age, most
detachments occur over the age of 50. Studies show that almost
80% of the population experiences a Posterior Vitreous Detachment
(PVD) by age 75.
What are the risk factors for a Posterior Vitreous Detachment
(PVD)?
In general, a Posterior Vitreous separation is usually innocuous.
Patients will typically experience the development of a large
floater within their central vision. Although harmless, this
is nevertheless annoying and may persist for several months.
Other risk factors include the more serious development of
a retinal tear or detachment. This development would occur
if the jelly substance teased and pulled away retina during
separation. This may lead to a sight threatening condition
known as a Retinal Detachment. Although uncommon, some literature
suggests that a retinal tear may occur in 5%-10% of symptomatic
patients during the first 6 weeks. For this reason, our Doctors
always perform a thorough dilated examination at the initial
visit, and subsequent follow-ups. If the patient passes 3
months without incident they are typically followed annually.
What are the symptoms for PVD and
how is it diagnosed?
A thorough dilated examination by one of our doctors is
strongly recommended with any of the following symptoms:
- Onset of floaters or increase in number of floaters. (Floaters
are often described as small black threads or cobwebs in
vision.)
- Any association with flashes of white light in your peripheral
or "side" vision, or an increase in flashes of light. These
flashes would be more ominous if they occurred without exertion.
- A black curtain, or constant disturbance, noted in your
side vision. You can check each eye by covering one eye
at a time.
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How
are retinal tears treated?
| Sometimes tears in the retina are
treated with laser surgery. Below, at the left, a retinal
tear is shaped like a horseshoe! Below, to the right,
laser application surrounding the tear seals down the
tear, preventing it from getting bigger and allowing for
resorption of fluid beneath the retina. |
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