Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters!

      

A gentleman walks into my clinic a few days back and says "You need to laser these black spots floating around in my eyes. They bother me so much, I can't work on the computer" he adds"I read you can laser them or go for a vitrectomy, I want the laser" I'm even willing to travel back to the US to get them lasered if you can't"..Floaters...Love em or hate em, they'll be there for you..

Problem: Floaters ( pesky flying irritants)

Treatment: nil. (YAG displacement  and Vitrectomies are a bit much considering the risks)

Who gets this? Everyone

When do you get it? At any time, usually more frequently with age

Should I worry? Read on....

The process of the vitreous(jelly)-at the rear of the eye, coming away from the retina is called a  “posterior vitreous detachment” or “PVD”

            As you age the vitreous becomes more watery, less jelly-like and isn't able to keep its usual shape. As a result, it begins to move away from the retina at the back of the eye towards the centre of the eye.

            A PVD is a natural change that occurs in the eye. Over 75 per cent of the population over the age of 65 develop a PVD, and it is not uncommon for it to develop in someone's 40s or 50s. PVD is not a sign of a disease or eye health problem. For most of us a PVD happens naturally as we get older.

PVD can cause symptoms such as floaters or little flashes of light across your vision. Floaters can take lots of different forms and shapes and can come in different sizes. You may see them as dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs. Sometimes, floaters can move around quickly. At other times it can feel like they hardly move at all. You may find floaters are more obvious in bright light or on a sunny day. The movement of the vitreous away from the retina at the back of the eye creates a tug on the retina. The retina reacts by sending a small electrical charge to your brain. You see this as short, small, flashes of light.

            Importantly, these same symptoms can be an indication of a more serious problem, such as a retinal tear, which needs urgent attention. You will not be able to tell the difference between floaters and flashes caused by PVD or retinal detachment. The only way you can tell is to have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.. If you suddenly experience any of the following symptoms, make sure you have your eyes examined as soon as possible - preferably on the same day or within 24 hours:

·    a sudden appearance of floaters or an increase in their size and number

·    flashes of light and/or a change/increase in the flashing lights you experience

·    blurring of vision

·    a dark 'curtain' moving up, down or across your vision, as this may mean that the retina has already partially detached.

           

            There is no medical treatment for PVD. There is no evidence to show that eye exercises, diet changes or vitamins can help a PVD. You may find floaters frustrating as they get in the way of seeing things which can make activities, such as reading, difficult. Sunglasses, dimming lights or UV eye shields limit the amount of light coming into your eye, which may help the floaters be less obvious, especially in bright conditions. However, most people find that over time the floaters become less of a problem and they don't need any special adaptations. Most people with a PVD have no restrictions on their activities. For more info: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/vitreous.asp