Will posterior vitreous detachment heal on its own?

Some people suddenly find that there are a lot of black dots or black circles in front of their eyes. Some people will see thread-like objects floating in front of their eyes. When they flash their eyes, there will be black shadows like floaters moving back and forth with the rotation of the eyeballs. No matter how many eye drops they have used, they don’t work. After examination at the hospital, it was said that the vitreous had detached. The doctor did not prescribe any medicine, but just asked me to go for a check-up every year. So, will posterior vitreous detachment heal on its own? Let’s take a look at it together.

one. What is posterior vitreous detachment

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is the separation of the posterior vitreous cortex from the inner surface of the retina, usually on the basis of vitreous liquefaction. As the liquefaction cavity in the central part of the vitreous expands, the posterior vitreous cortex becomes thinner and a crack appears. The liquefied vitreous enters the posterior vitreous space through the crack, causing the posterior cortex to separate rapidly from the retina. After separation, a ring-shaped opacity (Weiss ring) as big as the optic disc appears in front of the retina. Over time, this ring may become deformed or sink. During the PVD formation process, some tightly adhered areas generate pulling forces. As the eyeball rotates, the floating vitreous cortex exerts a pulling force on the retina in the anterior-posterior or tangential direction. The peripheral retina is thinner and more susceptible to degeneration. The macula is also prone to degeneration in highly myopic eyes, and this traction can cause retinal holes or macular holes in the peripheral area. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment occurs when liquefied vitreous enters beneath the neurosensory layer through a retinal tear.

2. Clinical manifestations

Most patients do not have acute symptoms when posterior vitreous dislocation occurs. Some people may experience flashes and floating objects in front of their eyes. The main symptoms are floaters and flashes, and sometimes you can see black shadows, dots or flocs in front of your eyes.

3. Can it heal itself?

Posterior vitreous detachment is irreversible and recovery is impossible, but the trend of deterioration can be controlled. In fact, posterior vitreous detachment is not a serious disease. As long as there is no retinal detachment or it does not affect key parts such as the macula, the possibility of blindness is not high. If there are any abnormal changes, you should go to the hospital for a check-up in time.

IV. Examination and treatment methods

Routine ophthalmological examination, B-ultrasound and OCT examination can make a clear diagnosis. Posterior vitreous detachment is a normal physiological process that occurs slowly as people age. No treatment is needed. It can be treated with eye drops. Patients with only posterior vitreous detachment do not require special treatment. For lesions that are harmful to vision, such as retinal tears, they should be treated according to relevant treatment principles.

5. Notes

It’s no big problem if you pay more attention to eye hygiene and avoid overuse of your eyes. However, if blurred or distorted vision occurs, or central vision decreases dramatically, it must be taken seriously. In daily life, you should pay more attention to not doing strenuous exercise, not moving your eyeballs too quickly, and not allowing your eyeballs to be squeezed by external force.