What Happens After a Diagnosis of a Posterior Vitreous Detachment?
FEB 27, 2013
Question:
Recently I was diagnosed with a moderate posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) of the left eye. The doctor said not to come back unless a black curtain descends indicating retina problems. I am 61 years old—will the PVD heal, get worse, or suddenly need surgery? What risk am I in of needing urgent surgery due to a sudden problem with the retina? The floater hasn't changed, the flashes seem to only be in the early morning dim light and right at bed time now.
Answer:
A PVD is a common event occurring in about 50 percent of people by the age of 60. Most people do not have significant symptoms and may not even realize a PVD has occurred. In people with a symptomatic PVD, the chance of needing urgent surgery is less than 10 percent. Typically, the floaters become less bothersome over a period of weeks to months, but may remain to some degree.