Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)

Posterior vitreous detachment is a common age-related change in which the vitreous gel pulls away from the back of the eye.

Common symptoms

Sudden increase in floaters, brief flashes of light, and cobweb-like shapes in the vision, especially against a plain background.

Description

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) happens when the jelly-like vitreous inside the eye shrinks and separates from the retina at the back of the eye. It is a normal age-related change and becomes more common from around the age of 50.

Most people simply notice an increase in floaters and sometimes flashes of light, which usually settle over weeks to months. PVD itself does not require treatment.

Occasionally, PVD can cause a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which are sight-threatening. A sudden increase in floaters or flashes, a shower of new floaters, or a shadow or curtain across the vision needs urgent assessment by an eye specialist.