Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments

What is Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) refers to a condition in which the vitreous detaches from the retina. The vitreous, also known as the vitreous humour, is the transparent, gel-like substance that fills the middle of the eye, between the lens and the retina. Posterior vitreous detachment refers to the vitreous detaching from the retina, which often occurs due to changes in the eye as a person ages. Posterior vitreous detachment is a common eye problem and not sight-threatening unless a retinal tear or other complications have occurred. Symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment can include eye floaters, but the condition may also occur without symptoms. It is important to see an optometrist if a person notices a sudden increase of eye floaters, blurry vision and flashes of light as this may indicate a retinal tear, which needs immediate medical attention. Posterior vitreous detachment is generally an age-related condition, with the likelihood of a person experiencing this increasing with age. Posterior vitreous detachment may be abbreviated to PVD.

What Are the Posterior Vitreous Detachment Symptoms?

The symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment can include floaters, flashes, blurry vision, and in more serious cases where complications have occurred, distorted vision. Posterior vitreous detachment symptoms are generally painless, and non-vision threatening unless complications like a macular hole, have occurred. It is important to see an optometrist if you believe you have symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment, so an assessment and diagnosis can be made and any complication identified. The symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment are listed below.

• Floaters: Floaters refer to specks or cobweb-like strands that move across a person’s vision. According to the National Eye Institute, floaters occur when the vitreous detaches and strands of the vitreous cast shadows on the retina, which appear as floaters.
• Flashes: Flashes refer to occurrences of flashing lights in the eyes. According to Kahawita, Simon and Gilhotra in an article for the Australia Family Practioner, flashes may occur as a symptom of posterior vitreous detachment if the vitreous tugs, causing mechanical stimulation of the retina.
• Blurry vision: Blurry vision refers to vision appearing out of focus, with objects not looking sharp or clear. Blurry vision may occur as a symptom of posterior vitreous detachment if larger floaters are obscuring the visual field, presence of a Weiss ring in the vitreous body or, in more serious cases, vitreous haemorrhage, according to Ramovecchi, Salati and Zeppieri in the paper Spontaneous posterior vitreous detachment: A glance at the current literature.
• Distorted vision: Distorted vision refers to objects appearing wavy, bent or out of shape. According to The American Society of Retina Specialists, distorted vision may occur if vitreous detachment has caused complications such as retinal tears or macular holes.

What are the Effects of Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) on a Person’s Vision?

The effects that posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) will have on a person and their vision are generally minor. However, if complications have occurred as a result of vitreous detachment, the effects may be more severe and impact vision. Generally, the symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment include eye floaters, flashes and blurry vision. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment may calm down as the brain learns to ignore them. If complications have occurred such as a macular hole or retinal detachment, as a result of vitreous detachment, symptoms may be more severe, such as distorted or decreased vision. It is important to see an optometrist if you believe you have symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment.

What is the Treatment for Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

There is generally no treatment needed for posterior vitreous detachment unless damage to the retina has occurred during the detachment. According to The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment will settle over time, with flashes lessening and floaters becoming less noticeable. According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the brain learns to ignore symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment over time, making them less noticeable. If a complication such as a retinal tear has occurred during detachment, an ophthalmologist may treat this by sealing the retina to the wall of the eye using a freezing treatment like a laser, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.