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What are "Floaters and Flashes or PVDs?"

A Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is a rather dramatic event
in the normal aging process of the human eye.
The vitreous is the jelly-like material that fills the large central
cavity of the eye. It is 98% water and 2% protein, which gives the
vitreous a stiff consistency similar to double-strength gelatin. The
vitreous has normal connections to the retina, the light sensitive layer
in the back of the eye.

As we age, the watery elements in the vitreous separate from the
fibrous components. With this comes a contraction of the fibrous
elements from the retina - A Posterior Vitreous Detachment. This
contraction on the retina is responsible for the characteristic
"Flashes" that often accompany PVDs.

The "Floaters" frequently reported are from the reorganization of the fibrous elements, as well frequently reported are from the reorganization of the fibrous elements, as well as some fragments of retina that may have been dragged into the vitreous cavity by this separation.

Besides age, other contributing factors include nearsightedness and injuries to the eye. Both may speed up the normal aging process.

All patients who experience a sudden onset of flashes and floaters
should be examined carefully by an Ophthalmologist. Most of the
time, nothing unusual is found, and simple reassurance is all that is
needed. The flashes eventually go away, and the floaters diminish,
and become less bothersome over time.

However, a tear in the retina is found in less than 4% of eyes with
a PVD. If left untreated, these tears can lead to a retinal
detachment, (PICTURE) a very serious sight-threatening requiring a major surgical procedure to repair. Even in the best of hands, the result of this procedure can be very unpredictable.

Click here for more information about treatment for Floaters, Flashes, or PVDs