What is the definition or description of: posterior vitreous detachment?

PVD: Posterior vitreous detachment occurs when the vitreous jelly released from the underlying retina. This occurs with age, myopia, inflammation, trauma, and other causes. Patients often notices floaters after the PVD occurs but it usually does not cause any problems. Rarely, retinal tears or detachment can occur due to the pvd.

Vitreous separation: The vitreous jelly is normally attached to the back of the eye (posteriorly), to the optic nerve and macula (central retina). When this collagenous jelly separates from these normal attachment areas, it's called a posterior vitreous detachment (pvd). This happens with age (normal and most common reason), trauma, eye surgery, nearsightedness. A retinal tear or detachment can also be concurrent.

Natural process: This is a natural transition in older age in which the gel vitreous spontaneously turns into a dense syrup over a many year period. It usually is silent, but sometimes causes light flashes, and floaters. Since these symptoms are the same as occurs in retinal detachment - a serious event- if you get these symptoms see your ophthalmologist to separate these two events.