Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is an eye condition that happens naturally during adulthood. This is when the vitreous gel that fills your eye separates from your retina. PVD causes floaters and flashes of your light, but it is not painful and is not a life-threatening condition. But if you have this condition or if you have symptoms of PVD, consult an eye doctor immediately to make sure that you won’t have another retinal problem in the future. You can also have a retinal evaluation at the best ophthalmology clinic in Brooklyn. Contact Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center and schedule your consultation.

Causes

Your eyeball is filled with vitreous gel, which is mostly made of water and collagen, and as you age the gel becomes more liquid. When this happens, the attachment of the surface of the gel to the retina slowly dissolves, resulting in its separation of it from the retina.

Although this condition is very rare in people who are under the age of 40, posterior vitreous detachment becomes very common when as you age over 40. Your risk also increases if you had recent eye surgery, if you had eye trauma, or if you have myopia. Also, if you have PVD in one of your eyes, you will most likely develop PVD in the other eye within a year.

Symptoms

If you have posterior vitreous detachment, symptoms can include:

• Floaters – this is when you see things that look like bugs, hairs, cobwebs, or dust floating in your field of vision. They could also seem to form shapes like that of a circle or ovals.
• Flashes – if you have PVD, you most likely noticed seeing a streak of lights at the side of your vision. Flashes may also be more noticeable when you are in darker areas.

These symptoms are more pertinent during the first few weeks of PVD and become less noticeable and less intense after several weeks. These symptoms are mild but if it bothers you, reach out to your eye doctor and have your eyes checked immediately.

Diagnosis

If you have PVD symptoms, make sure that you visit an eye specialist right away. An eye exam is used to identify any serious problem that can affect your eyes, and it also helps reduce the risk of further eye damage and vision loss. Some of the test can include:

• Ocular ultrasound – this method uses high-frequency sound waves to take pictures inside your eyes
• Dilated eye exam – your eye doctor will put drops in your eyes to dilate your pupil so they can take a look inside your eyes

Treatment

Posterior vitreous detachment is not a life and sight-threatening condition, and symptoms will mostly subside after a few several weeks. There is no specific treatment needed for PVD, but if needed, your eye doctor will treat your complications caused by PVD and not the condition itself. Have your symptoms checked four to six weeks after its onset.

There is no way to prevent posterior vitreous detachment, it is a natural part of aging. But you should report any changes in your vision to your eye doctor.

Your eye health is important in living life to the fullest. At Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center, our ophthalmologists will help treat your eye and vision problems. To book an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212. You can also call us at 1-347-384-5690 or check our website at https://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com.