Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Posterior Vitreous Detachment


At birth, the vitreous body is attached to the retina and stays attached until one day, as part of the natural aging process, it detaches on its own.

This is what we call posterior vitreous detachment, which, as it occurs, can cause flashing lights to appear in the peripheral vision or permanent floaters called myodysopsies. This is due to opaque pieces of vitreous that come between the light source and the retina causing shadows to appear in the form of hair or clumps of cotton.

Because vitreous detachment can also lead to retinal detachment the patient should submit to a retinal exam to assure the absence of danger.

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