vitreous detachment

From Aaushi
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Epidemiology

  • common condition that usually affects people over age 50
  • very common after age 80
  • people who are nearsighted are at increased risk
  • vitreous detachment in one eye increases likelihood of detachment in other eye, although it may not happen until years later

Pathology

  • with aging, the vitreous slowly shrinks, & fibers within the vitreous attached to the retina pull on the retinal surface
  • generally the fibers break, allowing the vitreous to separate & shrink from the retina
  • in most cases, vision is not threatened
  • fibrous strands can cast tiny shadows on the retina

Clinical manifestations

Complications

Management

  • in most cases, a vitreous detachment does not threaten vision & requires no treatment

More general terms

More specific terms

Additional terms

References

  1. National Eye Institute: Facts About Vitreous Detachment http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/index.asp