Detached vitreous

I was told that I have a detached vitreous in my right eye when examined 2 months ago following symptoms of flashing lights and floating fuzzies.  Though the flashing lights have ceased the floating fuzzies have not.  In fact, they seem to have increased and they interfer with clear vision.  Will these ever go away?  Is there anything that I can do about this?  If it has happened in one eye, is it likely to occur in the other?  The doctor who examined me led me to believe this is age-related.  If that is true is it common?  Does this mean I am more likely than others to experience a detached retina?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Actually, if the vitreous detaches  completely and without causing a detached retina, your risk of detached retina may actually be less in the future.  Everything you have noticed is very normal and I see several patients a day with the same thing.  Is is very, very, very common to get this once you get around age 60 to 70 and its estimated to occur in around 70% or more of people by age 75 or so.  The floaters can be bothersome but your brain will learn to ignore them after several months.  They can also break up some over time on their own.  There is no effective, recommended treatment for the floaters except rarely vitrectomy for very select cases with severe central clumps of floaters.  Yes, the same thing will probably happen to the other eye just as this is likely to happen to me when I get older.  Keep follow up with a good ophthalmologist.

MJK MD

[Monika78]

A related discussion, PVD in the age of 30. What the future brings? was started.