Further questions about vitreous detachment
The vitreous body (also known as the corpus vitreum) makes up the largest part of the human eyeball and itself consists of about 98% water. It contains hyaluronic acid chains to which the water molecules are attached, thus creating the typical gel-like consistency. In addition, the vitreous body also contains a finely branched network of connective tissue fibers, which give it additional support and stability.
With age, the vitreous body shrinks, which is quite normal and is primarily due to small weaknesses and liquefaction of the hyaluron network. As a result, the vitreous body loses volume as the water that is no longer bound leaves the eye. Since the vitreous body with its outer boundary, the so-called vitreous-boundary membrane, is firmly connected to the underlying retina in several places, there is sometimes a pulling of the contracting vitreous envelope at the retina. A retinal detachment can be the result.
