What is it?

Between the retina and the crystalline lens is a space filled with the vitreous humor, an opaque jelly-like substance. The vitreous separates from the retina, leading to retinal tears and detachment. This is also known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and leads to flashes and floaters. Someone who has flashes sees quick flashes of light, even while his/her eyes are closed, whereas someone who experiences floaters sees hovering dark spots in their vision. Both flashes and floaters are relatively harmless, and almost everyone sees some type of floaters at some point in their life.

What causes it?

As people age, the vitreous gradually loses its strong bond to the retina resulting in PVD. This detachment does not allow light to pass normally through the eye, thus creating flashes of light and dark spots in the vision. A hard blow to the head may also cause this condition. It is most likely to take place in just one eye, but in extremely rare cases, it could happen in both eyes.

Symptoms

Treatment

Floaters usually dissipate in only a short period of time, and the problem is cured. Surgery is only necessary if vision becomes considerably impaired.

Index of Diseases