Introduction
A vitreous detachment is a lifting of the vitreous body from the surrounding structures. A distinction is made between anterior and posterior vitreous detachment, with the posterior form occurring much more frequently. In this case the vitreous detachment detaches from the retina.
Mostly this is related to a liquefaction of the vitreous body in the course of aging. This causes symptoms such as sudden flashes of light when the eye moves. If the vitreous detachment is complete, no therapy is usually necessary because the symptoms disappear.
In the case of a vitreous detachment, very typical symptoms often occur. These depend on whether the vitreous detachment is complete or whether the vitreous is still connected to the retina in some places. The accompanying symptoms include the so-called mouches volantes.
This term means something like “flying mosquitoes” and refers to optical phenomena that are perceived by those affected. As a result of the detachment of the vitreous body, the affected persons permanently see curved lines and/or points that move. This is due to the liquefaction of the vitreous body, which causes the light to enter the eye from outside in a different way.
In some cases, the detachment of the vitreous body also leads to condensations due to coinciding structures, which can also lead to these optical perceptions. Furthermore, light flashes during eye movements are very typical for vitreous detachment. These occur in an incomplete vitreous detachment and are caused by the pulling of the vitreous at the still connected sections of the retina.
In some cases, bleeding of the vitreous or tearing of the retina may also occur. The latter can even lead to a detachment of the retina and associated visual impairment. If a vitreous detachment is diagnosed, a medical history, i.e. a doctor-patient consultation, and a general examination of both eyes should be performed first.
If a vitreous detachment is suspected, an opthalmoscopy should also be performed. During this procedure, the posterior section of the eye is assessed using special examination instruments. It is important to exclude possible tears of the retina in case of a vitreous detachment.
Therefore, the retina should always be checked for its intactness. In some cases, the evaluation of the posterior segment of the eye can also be supplemented by an ultrasound examination. The treatment of a vitreous detachment depends on the extent of the detachment of the vitreous from its surrounding structures as well as the localization of the detachment.
If the vitreous detachment is complete, all accompanying symptoms usually disappear, so there is no need for treatment. It is important, however, that regular check-ups are carried out by an ophthalmologist to rule out possible complications of vitreous detachment. In some cases, these can only occur later.
Occasionally, the symptoms may last for a very long time and disturb the affected person very much. In this case, removal of the vitreous body by surgery may be considered. However, this procedure, known as “vitrectomy”, is very complex and involves some risks.
A vitreous detachment can occasionally lead to complications. These are usually in need of treatment, which is why the therapy of vitreous detachment has its focus on controlling and treating the possible complications. For example, there may be tears and holes in the retina, which can be treated with laser therapy depending on their severity.
By irradiating the retina with a laser, the retina is reconnected with its surrounding structures. If a detachment of the retina occurs, it may have to be treated surgically. Since vitreous detachment is not treated, there are no drugs that are effectively suitable as therapy for vitreous detachment.
Various homeopathic remedies can have a supportive effect, but do not have a healing effect. One of the homeopathic remedies, for example, is Conium, which works against the compression of the vitreous body when it is detached. Calcium and China can also have a supporting effect.
A vitreous detachment usually occurs in the course of natural aging. The substance of the vitreous humour liquefies, causing it to collapse. The vitreous detaches from its support, mostly in the back of the eye from the retina.Another cause, especially in younger patients, is severe myopia, i.e. nearsightedness.
In this case, the eye is longer than in a normal-sighted person, which means that the vitreous body has to fill a larger space. As a result, it is more at risk of separating from the surrounding layer in certain places. A trauma to the eye, i.e. an accident with, for example, an impact on the eye, can cause the vitreous body to detach from its anterior surrounding structures.
Chorioretinitis, i.e. inflammation of the veins and the retina in the rear part of the eye, can also lead to a detachment of the vitreous body in this area. Furthermore, a so-called aphakia, i.e. the absence of a lens, can be a cause of anterior vitreous detachment. The aphakia is usually caused by an operation, but in rare cases it can also be caused by trauma, i.e. an accident to the eye.
This topic might also be of interest to you: Contusion of the eyeballA vitreous detachment can be of varying duration. The primary cause is the detachment of the vitreous body from its surrounding structures. The most common type of vitreous detachment, i.e. the posterior form caused by age-related liquefaction of the vitreous, can be expected to last from a few days to weeks.
Once the vitreous body has started to detach from the retina, it becomes increasingly unstable, which means that the vitreous detachment usually progresses relatively quickly. In very rare cases, however, it is possible that the symptoms, i.e. the flashes and optical perceptions, are still present months to years after the beginning of the vitreous detachment. In this case, surgical removal of the vitreous body should be considered if the affected person feels severely restricted.
In a large number of cases, however, the symptoms are no longer perceived after a certain period of time, as the affected person gets used to it and the symptoms decrease as the vitreous detachment progresses. A cure for vitreous detachment is not possible as such. A vitreous detachment is a not uncommon phenomenon that can occur in old age.
Due to the liquefaction of the vitreous body, it comes to a detachment from the surrounding structures. Since the vitreous body consists of different materials, which flow apart during liquefaction and are reabsorbed over time, i.e. transported away via the vascular system, it is not possible to restore the consistency of the vitreous body. However, this is not necessarily necessary, since vision is still possible despite complete vitreous detachment.
When the vitreous detachment is complete, the symptoms usually disappear completely. It is more important to prevent possible complications. A vitreous detachment can lead to a detachment of the retina.
This is far more crucial for the affected person than healing the vitreous detachment, as it can cause long-term visual impairment. Therefore, regular check-ups by an ophthalmologist should take place. Similar topics: Symptoms of retinal detachment as well as surgery for retinal detachmentA very typical symptom of vitreous detachment are flashes of light that the affected person perceives.
These occur mainly during movements of the eye. They are caused by an incomplete vitreous detachment from the retina. In this posterior incomplete vitreous detachment there is an increased tension on the retina at the still connected areas of the vitreous and retina.
As a result, the retina at these points is irritated when the eye moves and a flash of light is produced in front of the patient’s eye. These flashes are very characteristic for vitreous detachment. Sport has different roles in a vitreous detachment.
On the one hand, sport can be a cause of vitreous detachment. A vitreous detachment can be caused by trauma, i.e. an accident, to the eye, especially in younger patients, for example if you are hit by a ball directly in the eye. On the other hand it is important to be careful with sports if a vitreous detachment is already present.
Especially if the vitreous detachment is incomplete, jerky eye movements, such as those often seen in ball sports, can lead to a tearing of the retina and thus to a reduction in vision. However, other sports, such as weight training and weight lifting, should also be performed with caution in the case of vitreous detachment.In most cases, the ophthalmologist will advise to wait with such sports until a tear or hole in the retina can be safely excluded. In addition, it is very important that those affected are aware of possible symptoms of a retinal detachment, such as a sudden black veil, so that they can detect these early and consult an ophthalmologist if necessary.
