Posterior Vitreous detachment

Hi,

I'm 21 years old and recently discovered 2 quite large line floaters, one in each eye it would seem. I recently got my eyes checked by an opthamologist, who told me there was no evidence of retinal detachment, but that I still need to be cautious of it.

I don't think things are getting worse but I'm getting quite paranoid about them. Is there a timescale for which a retinal deatchment or tear will develop? I keep thinking I see flashes, but I'm not really sure what I should be looking for, and my mind might be playing tricks on me. Are they very obvious? Even if I did experience the odd flash would this be anything to worry about or should I immediately seek further help?

Like I said I don't think the floaters are getting worse but I'm not sure. Should I constantly be concerned about tears/detachment for the rest of my life? Or after a certain amount of time is it unlikely to actually occur? Would it be worth getting things checked out at an eye hosptial or would I be wasting peoples time?

Cheers

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hello, you have a common concern. May I suggest you start by using the search feature on the two MedHelp.org eye care Forums and search 'floaters' and 'vitreous detachment' and 'retinal detachment'. Also search using Google or Yahoo--they usually have nice pictures that help understanding what's going on in your eyes.

The great majority of floaters are benign, especially in young people and in people that do not have a family history of retinal detachment, have not had major trauma to the eye or have not had cataract surgery.

Floaters can occur even in very young people due to retention of some debris from the embryonic formation of the front of the eye. I personally have had floaters since age 10. By age 50 half of the population has floaters and by 70 its three out of four.

The flashes that we worry about with retinal detachment are generally very bright and very short duration (like a bolt of lightening on a pitch black night), the type of floaters that cause the most worry are showers of floaters like soot in the eye. Large single floaters are less worrisome. If you go looking for floaters by looking at a blue sky or white background and moving your eyes you will likely always be able to see them. Best to 'tune them out'.

A retinal detachment can cause a loss of peripheral vision and should that occur you need to be checked immediately.

Unless you are part of the 'high risk' categories listed above (there are a few others) you are not at a high risk of retinal detachment. In eyes where the mechanism of floater production is vitreous detachment the risk of a retinal detachment is highest in the first 6-8 weeks that symptoms begin.


Unless something changes or new symptoms develop it is unlikely that a repeat examination would show anything new. Be sure to have an annual examination with dilated pupils by a medical physician (ophthalmologist Eye MD).

JCH MD

[Dakota102010]

A related discussion, Floaters and Small Bright Flashes was started.