The slit lamp (biomicroscope) exam and dilation of the pupils are safe and do not cause floaters. However they are used to examine eyes that have or are prone to floaters. The relationship is incidental and not causative.
Vitalux plus has not been tested in a controlled fashion in large numbers of clinical patients. It might be helpful for someone with a terrible diet. A good diet would be better
Hi, I am only 44 and myopia -7.50. And was diagnosed with vitreous degeneration detachment in one eye so the laser eye correction stops or reduces the chances of getting retinal detachment as I shrinks the retina. Any body .Thank you so much for your thought and time.
Hi, I am only 44 and myopia -7.50. And was diagnosed with vitreous degeneration detachment in one eye so the laser eye correction stops or reduces the chances of getting retinal detachment as I shrinks the retina. Any body .Thank you so much for your thought and time.
Hi Dr. Hagan,
My retina specialist said that my vitreous has degenerated and liquefied. Is that why my vision is blurry, since the vitreous is constantly changing? and getting flashes of light?
I heard that you had PVD in both eyes, how did you manage to live through it for 30 years, any helpful tips?. I am only 32 years old and highly myopic. Since the vitreous is degenerated, what are the chances of getting retinal detachment. Are there any solutions to it apart from Vitrectomy?
My optometrist thinks that I am paranoid, when I tell her all the vision problems I am going through. Please advise.
Thanks,
Sophiya
I was just diagnosed with vitreous degeneration. I am 62 years old. I see a few floaters but is not bothersome. I had lasik for both eyes about three years ago. My right eye for distance and left for close up. It works fine except for real close then I need magnifying glass or glasses. I was wondering if by having this done three years ago if it was good or bad regarding vitreous degeneration because i read it could also have been caused from injury or age related.
I have "a half-ring shadow" in peripheral vision of the left eye which I see in the darkness and after waking up. I also have some kind of "stroboscope effect" in the upper part of the eye and the eye is severly hurting inside and "heavy". The vision in this corner of the eye is blurred -I am not able to judge if those are floaters. My retinologist said that it is due to PDV which is probably almost complete or already complete. She said I should not have any severe physical activities, no bending down and carrying heavy stuff .
My question are :
1. could this "half-ring effect" and blurry vision be provoked by laser to retina that I had 1,5 week ago?
2. will this "half-ring" ever disappear?
3. Am I probable to loose any vision in the eye?
Thank you in advance.
I suffered a posterior vitreous detachment on 10/28/08. I noticed a little flash in my left peripheral vision that did not go away. I had my eyes dilated the next afternoon and they could not see any tear but told me to come back if I experienced increases in floaters or more flashing or the curtain. The next day, I had a large floater and called the doctor again. The following day, they dilated my left eye and did not see any retinal tear. Two doctors told me that I had NO restrictions on exercise and an appointment was made for me to see the retinal specialist on 12-8-08 (6 weeks). I have since spoken to another doctor who said to limit actitivity until I see the specialist. Several acquaintances have been alarmed that with the flash continuing that I am not being told to see the retinal specialist right away. Do you think I should be seeing the retinal specialist sooner? What about exericse? I usually do elipse trainining, walking and lifting light weights. I am 57 years old. Thanks!
Hi Thanks again for your response--it helped alot!! I too hope I don't get an RD!! Take care--Carol
Is it easily discernable on clinical exam to determine whether PVD is complete? If PVD is complete, does this lower risk of RD after cataract surgery?
When your brain sees flashes it is b/c the vitreous has become stuck to the retina and is pulling/tugging on it. So the actual flash that you see is due to the tugging force of the vitreous gel, not when the get is sticking to the retina.
You should know that the vitreous is a clear-jelly like substance and often referred to as vitreous gel. The vitreous is normally "stuck" in a sense to the retina, but more strongly in some places than in others. When a person ages the vitreous gel changes and becomes more liquid as opposed to gel-like. This process begins PVD, b/c as the vitreous liquefies it starts to "un-stick" from the retina. Since some of the portions of the vitreous is adhered more strongly than others as the vitreous detaches it may pull more strongly on certain parts of the retina causing your brain to see this as flashes of light. Now you maybe thinking wait if gel is turning into liquid shouldn't that mean the vitreous should peel away from the retina w/o problems?
The explanation is simple: the vitreous is sort of made of two parts an inner portion and outer portion. The inner portion liquefies more causing the outer portion to come away from the retina.
So, after a long explanation, the final answer to your question, is NO you are not at greater risk b/c of the "sticking" b/c everyone w/PVD has "sticking". However, you are at greater risk for having a RD b/c you are myopic.
Hope this all made sense and was helpful.
Good luck and I really hope you don't have to experience an RD..
You are welcome. I have PVDs in both eyes, myopia, lattice degeneration and retinoschesis so I am emphathetic (all conditions stable for 30 years).
JCH MD
Hi Thanks for your time and response!!
Hi Thanks for your response. I have googled PVD and read many of your replies already listed but I still had questions. May I ask you--when you see the flashes around the peripheral of the eye--Is that the actual vitreous gel sticking to the retinal wall?? When I had my eyes dilated and pictures taken the dr showed me an area where there was sticking occurring. Does this sticking happen with all cases of PVD or does this mean I am more likely to have a retinal detachment?? Please excuse me if I am repeating answers you have given already. Thanks
first off your questions have already been answered in previous posts if you'd do a simple search you'd find the answers. But i'll answer your questions anyway:
If you went to an ophthalmologist s/he should have set you up w/ a follow-up appointment.
Generally the time reference is 6 weeks. This means that if a retinal detachment is going to happen it usually happens within 6 weeks from the onset of symptoms. There is nothing you can do to prevent a retinal detachment. If the vitreous is "sticky" enough to pull on the retina it will do so no matter what.
Medications do not increase the rate of PVD. PVD is age related and a complete detachment of the vitreous can take anywhere from 18-24 months. PVD is not preventable. PVDs do not increase your risks of developing other age related problems.
Google posterior vitreous detachment and you'll find lots of information.
Posterior vitreous detachment is a normal part of the aging eye. Use the search feature and read the previous posts and discussions. Go to Google IMAGES and see pictures of what it looks like.
It takes a variable time for the vitreous to peel off the retina. The biggest risk of a RD is within the first 6 weeks. I can only tell you what I tell my patients.
I check the eye and if they have floaters but no flashes normal activies are fine. I always think its a good idea to avoid things that bang the head around (amusement park rides, boding, full contact hockey, etc). I give written information onf PVD and RD. If the floaters increase, flashes develop or loss of peripheral vision occures return immediately as an emergency. Warn the other eye will have the same problem some day.
If there is flashes or high risk characteristics (high myopia, previous cataract surgery, family history of RD, area of lattice, etc) I ask they avoid heavy bending stooping or lifting. I do not restrict walking or golf. I DO set up a follow appointment in our retina clinic to see our retina specialist in 7-10 days in follow up. If symptoms worse return immediately.
your Eye MD will need to set your activies. I would suggest you go back for a re-exam since your problem is continuing or see a retina Eye MD specialist. Find one near you at www.aao.org
JCH MD