Question 1

does vitreous degeneration always lead to a posterior vitreous detachment (pvd) or pvd may not happen altogether in presence of vitreous degeneration?

Accepted Answer

PVD: Vitreous degeneration almost always leads to a pvd.  Most pvds are benign, but a few may lead to a retinal tear or detachment...So they should be seen by your local eye doctor.

Question 2

can a 'complete' posterior vitreous detachment (pvd) be sometimes not associated with flashes of light at all, and have symptoms of only floaters?

Accepted Answer

yes: The flashing lights (photopsias) are due to light attachments between the vitreous edge and the underlying retina as it transitions to liquid.  Mostly there are no such connections, therefore no light flashes. This is in fact the case with most people.

Question 3

doc ruled out retinal tear, said full pvd yet to start but there's vitreous detachment(my floaters), what is diff betwn full pvd n vitreous detachment?

Accepted Answer

Synonymous: A "full" PVD and a vitreous detachment are the same thing, albeit a "full" one probably was meant to tell you that the posterior vitreous has completely detached from the posterior part of your eye. The vitreos humor, as we age, begins to separate from the posterior of the eye, generally without compromise to the retina or blood vessels. This takes awhile to complete itself (weeks to months).

Question 4

why do post-cataract surgery retinal detachments occur? is there some retinal pulling involved from posterior vitreous detachment (pvd)?

Accepted Answer

Destabilization: The natural lens and its supports stabilize the front of the eye and vitreous.  Removal of the thick natural lens and substitution with a thin artificial lens, increases the chance for the vitreous to move in ways that can destabilize the attachments of the vitreous over the retina.  If there are weak places, this can increase the chance of detachment, even in the best of cataract surgeries.

Question 5

what is the risk of retinal detachment after pvd?

Accepted Answer

10-15%: The risk of retinal break, tear, or detachment after posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is thought to be around 10-15%.  This is why patients should have a dilated fundus examination if they experience new onset flashes, floaters, or change in vision.

Question 6

how often does pvd result in retinal detachment?

Accepted Answer

Not sure of the: Percentages.  I think of retinal detachment more associated with myopia.  But ask your phthalmologist.  They have to a special exam to look carefully at your retina by the way.

Question 7

how long does it take to complete vitreous detachment to pvd full cycle in young high myope population, is da process cycle faster in young myopes?

Accepted Answer

Full cycle?: The natural progression of vitreous detachment is simple in that the vitreous attachment come off the area of attachment where the retina ends. The vitreous contracts tugging on the retina, causing flashing light symptoms. This usually resolve and the vitreous floater can get smaller. Not really a cycle! timing is  person to person, - can be days to weeks, high myopia is a risk factor

Question 8

does total pvd increase or decrease the chance of getting retinal tear/ detachment?

Accepted Answer

Decrease: If the vitreous is totally detached from the retinal surface, then there will be no more tugging on retinal thin points which would be a source of possible retinal tear.  It is the non-detached vitreous spots with  stronger adhesion that increase the risk of a retinal tear.

Question 9

how can one distinguish if a floater resulted from pvd or from retinal tear/detachment?

Accepted Answer

Ocular tia: Ocular tia/ transient ischemic attack, or loss of vision in one eye, meaning gray or black in your visual field that resolves is considered a type of mini stroke. Ocular TIA is stroke until proven otherwise. An ultrasound of the necks carotid arteries and an exam of  retina by opthalmology will determine cause. See your doc right away. Stroke prevention is possible. So is sight preservation.

Question 10

about what percentage of pvd end up with retinal detachment?

Accepted Answer

10-15%: The risk of retinal break, tear, or detachment after posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is thought to be around 10-15%.  This is why patients should have a dilated fundus examination if they experience new onset flashes, floaters, or change in vision.

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Doctor answers about:

Pvd detachment

A member asked:

Does vitreous degeneration always lead to a posterior vitreous detachment (pvd) or pvd may not happen altogether in presence of vitreous degeneration?

A member asked:

Can a 'complete' posterior vitreous detachment (pvd) be sometimes not associated with flashes of light at all, and have symptoms of only floaters?

A member asked:

Doc ruled out retinal tear, said full pvd yet to start but there's vitreous detachment(my floaters), what is diff betwn full pvd n vitreous detachment?

A member asked:

Why do post-cataract surgery retinal detachments occur? is there some retinal pulling involved from posterior vitreous detachment (pvd)?

A member asked:

What is the risk of retinal detachment after pvd?

A member asked:

How often does pvd result in retinal detachment?

A member asked:

How long does it take to complete vitreous detachment to pvd full cycle in young high myope population, is da process cycle faster in young myopes?

A member asked:

Does total pvd increase or decrease the chance of getting retinal tear/ detachment?

A member asked:

How can one distinguish if a floater resulted from pvd or from retinal tear/detachment?

A member asked:

About what percentage of pvd end up with retinal detachment?

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