​What is Medicine – What is Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

​What is Medicine – What is Posterior Vitreous Detachment? 

The vitreous body consists of water and collagen. It is the gel inside the eye which maintains the eyeball’s structure and keeps the retina pressed on the choroid. 

The vitreous body becomes less firm and may not be able to maintain its shape as before.Therefore in older patients, it is very common for the detachment of the vitreous body to happen. This is known as posterior vitreous detachment. 

Patients with posterior vitreous detachment may present with floaters, spots of vision loss and flashing lights. 

There is no necessary treatment of posterior vitreous detachment Over times with brain adjustments the symptoms will improve. 

The common complications of posterior vitreous detachment may include the development of retinal tears and retinal detachment. The risks of developing these two conditions need to be assessed by referral to the ophthalmologist.