Detachment of the posterior vitreous cortex from the internal limiting membrane of the retina

Aetiology

• Age-related degeneration of the vitreous body (most common cause)
• Myopia
• Eye injury

Clinical features

• Usually asymptomatic
• Photopsia with eye movements - caused by partially detached vitreous tissue pulling on the retina
• Floaters - collection of deposits in the vitreous body of the retina perceived as spots or strings drifting through the visual field
• If visual loss - think retinal detachment

Investigations

Fundoscopy

Management

• No treatment necessary - symptoms improve as brain as brain adjusts

Complications

• Can predispose to patients developing retinal tears and retinal detachment