Vitreous detachment is a fairly common pathology that is especially common in elderly patients. It is worth saying right away that in most cases the ailment responds well to treatment, although in the absence of therapy, complications can occur, sometimes even to complete loss of vision.
Naturally, people who are faced with a problem are looking for any additional information. What is an ailment? What symptoms should I look for? When do I need to urgently contact the center of laser vision correction? The answers to these questions are of interest to many readers.
What is the vitreous?
First, work with basic anatomical data. Between the retina and the lens of the eye is a jelly-like substance, which, in fact, is called the vitreous. It is this body that provides support and a normal arrangement of all eye structures.
In newborns, this structure is homogeneous. But as the body grows older, the vitreous begins to separate into two fractions, namely liquid (it consists of 95% water) and fibrous (formed by combining protein particles).
What is a disease?
Vitreous detachment is a fairly common disease that results from abnormal changes in the structure of proteins in the fibrous part of an organ. Under the influence of certain factors, the separation of one layer from another begins. Since the vitreous is located in the immediate vicinity of the retina, any violation of its structure is fraught with visual impairment.
It is worth saying right away that in most cases this ailment is diagnosed in people over fifty years old. According to statistics, women are more susceptible to the disease, although men often face a similar problem. As for the symptoms, most patients complain of "flies in the eyes." The causes and treatment of such disorders will be discussed below.
The main causes of the development of pathology
Most often, the pathological process begins in the back of the eye, so the term "posterior vitreous detachment" often appears in medicine.
Why does this disease begin? In fact, the reasons may be different. Vitreous detachment may be due to the following reasons.
- As already mentioned, the risk factor is age, because pathology most often develops in patients older than 50 years. The fact is that as they age, various degenerative changes begin in the structures of the eye. In addition, the number of collagen fibers that support the dense structure of the vitreous body is also reduced.
- Patients suffering from frequent inflammatory diseases of the choroid of the eye and retina are also prone to similar pathologies. These diseases are accompanied by a change in normal pH. The acidic environment negatively affects the functioning of cellular structures, and also helps to reduce the level of adhesion between the posterior hyaloid membrane of the retina and the inner boundary membrane of the vitreous body.
- The list of risk factors includes some systemic diseases, in particular, thyroid pathology, diabetes mellitus and Marfan syndrome. The fact is that such disorders are accompanied by significant changes in the hormonal background. As a result of these processes, the normal synthesis of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans is disrupted, which primarily affects the structure of the vitreous.
- Detachment may be the result of penetrating wounds in the eye, as well as previously undergone eye surgery.
Classification: the main types of pathology
In modern medicine, there are many schemes that allow you to classify pathology. Depending on the nature of the detachment, two types are distinguished:
- Complete detachment is accompanied by separation of the sheath from the optic nerve disk, resulting in the formation of peripapillary space. This form of pathology is more often observed in young patients, since the vitreous gel at this stage has a more structured structure. Also, hemorrhage or penetration of exudate into the space between the retina and the vitreous body can become the cause of complete detachment.
- Partial exfoliation, as a rule, comes from the base of the vitreous. Also, the sheath can be separated from the exit site of the optic nerve disk. In the absence of treatment, partial exfoliation becomes complete.
Vitreous detachment: symptoms
Of course, the clinical picture is an important issue for every reader. In fact, many patients turn to the ophthalmologist, complaining of a "fly" in the eyes. Causes and treatment are what patients are interested in.
A similar symptom may be accompanied by a violation of the structure of the vitreous body. Of course, the features of the clinical picture largely depend on the form and degree of detachment. If we are talking about a partial violation of adhesion, then some specific symptoms may be completely absent. As a rule, pathology affects both eyes at once, and visual acuity can remain normal - which is why patients rarely consult a doctor. Sometimes such a disease becomes an accidental find.
A complete detachment of the vitreous body of the eye is accompanied by noticeable disturbances. Various inclusions can appear in the field of view of patients - these can be both dark “flies” and large geometric figures. The appearance of photopsies and “flashes” that occur during the movement of the eyeball is also observed.
What is the danger of the disease? Common complications
Many people, especially when it comes to elderly patients, face such a problem as detachment of the vitreous body of the eye. What is dangerous is a similar disease.
According to the reviews of doctors and research results, pathology lends itself well to therapy, but only if it was diagnosed in time. In advanced cases, the risk of complications is extremely high.
It is worth noting that partial exfoliation is the most dangerous. With a similar form of the disease, the fibers of the membranes are attached to the retina in some places, which is accompanied by strong traction from the entire mass of the vitreous. This creates additional loads on certain areas of the retina. In approximately 8-15% of patients, this leads to peripheral rupture of the retina of the eye.
According to statistics, in about 13-19% of patients, the pathology is accompanied by vitreous hemorrhage. This complication does not lead to loss of vision, but requires immediate treatment.
In some cases, violations in the structure of the vitreous body are accompanied by retinal detachment and detachment, which, of course, negatively affects vision and sometimes leads to its complete loss.
Diagnostic measures
If you go to the doctor with the above complaints, then the specialist will first conduct standard tests, including ophthalmoscopy, determination of visual acuity, ophthalmometry, biomikropsy.
An ultrasound examination of the eyeball is informative - during the procedure, the doctor can determine the exact location of the detachment, as well as see changes in the structure of the vitreous body. More accurate results can be obtained using optical computed tomography. Such a diagnostic measure makes it possible to thoroughly study the state of the retina, as well as measure the thickness of the membranes of the vitreous body and the retina.
Vitreous Detachment: Treatment
Based on the data obtained during the studies, the doctor can accurately diagnose and determine the treatment regimen. In this case, only surgery can correct the situation, so you should contact a good center for laser vision correction.
As a rule, patients are prescribed vitrectomy - a procedure that involves the complete or partial removal of the vitreous body.
In some cases, vitreolysis is effective. This is a minimally invasive intervention, which involves the partial evaporation, dislocation or fragmentation of pathological inclusions of the vitreous body using special laser equipment or by administering drugs.
Effective preventive measures
As already mentioned, vitreous detachment is fraught with a host of complications. Of course, the pathology is relatively easy to correct, but the prognosis is favorable only if the patient consulted a doctor on time. In the presence of retinal detachment and other complications, therapy may not bring the expected results.
As for prevention, it is mainly aimed at reducing the risk of certain complications. Concomitant diseases such as diabetes or thyroid lesions should be adequately treated on time. The correct mode of work and rest for the eyes is important (this applies primarily to people who, due to their profession, must constantly strain their eyes, for example, working at a computer). If your work is associated with a potential eye injury, then do not forget about goggles and other devices.
If you have any disturbing symptoms, then do not hesitate - you need to contact an experienced ophthalmologist as soon as possible.