Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Question 1

What is posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 1

The separation of the vitreous membrane from the retina.

Question 2

What is the cause of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 2

Occurs naturally with age, due to natural changes to the vitreous fluid.

Question 3

What is the presentation of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 3

Common, causes no pain or visual loss.

Sudden appearance of floaters
Flashes of light in vision (photopsia) - in peripheries
Blurred vision
Cobweb across vision
Appearance of ‘dark curtain’ descending down vision (means there is also retinal detachment)

Rarely, the separation of the vitreous membrane can lead to tears and detachment of the retina.
(Mist be ruled out)

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 4

Occurs in 75% of people >65 y/o

Females > Males

Question 5

What are risk factors of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 5

Age: vitreous fluid becomes less viscous, pulling vitreous membrane away from the retina,
Highly myopic (near-sighted)

Question 6

What are the signs of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 6

Weiss ring on opthalmoscopy (the detachment of the vitreous membrane around the optic nerve to form a ring-shaped floater)

Question 7

What are the investigations of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 7

Examined within 24 hours by ophthalmologist to rule out retinal tears of detachment.

Question 8

What is the management of posterior vitreous detachment?

Answer 8

Alone, causes no permanent visual loss
Symptoms gradually improve over a period of 6 months and no treatment is necessary
If there is retinal tear or detachment will require surgery.