vitreous detachment

[larandsandy]

I am a 42 year old female that had a vitreous detachment in her left eye which left a large floater.  I saw a retina specialist to rule out a macular hole as I had blurry central vision in that eye.  He said it didn't look like a hole, but rather like a scab that should absorb.  He also said that there was some mottling or specs on the macular, but wasn't too concerned.  I was wondering if having a vitreous detachment predisposes one to get macular degeneration.  My other eye has been starting with some flashes of light and such, so I am wondering if the other eye is also starting to detach.  Any comments are appreciated.

[Ag-i-doc]

as far as i know, having a vitreal detachment does not lead to macular degeneration.  i guess if you did have a macular HOLE, then you could in theory have some neovascularization through that hole, and some doctors might call that a form of "wet macular degeneration" (although i would not call it that...i would call it "macular hole with resultant neovascularization").

but in general i would say NO, having a little "scab" at the macula or having a vitreous detachment probably does not lead to increased incidence of macular degeneration.  i could be wrong, though...i am not a retinal specialist.

patients who have had a vitreal detachment in one eye are MUCH, MUCH more likely to have one in their other eye.  in fact, it is probable that you will have a vitreal detachment in your other eye at some point.