Posterior vitreous detachment

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.