Posterior vitreous detachment

“I see a fly in front of my eyes”

Many patients will complain, especially as they age, of seeing black spots or filaments in front of one or both eyes. These spots seem to follow the movement of the eyes.

We all have a gelatinous structure called the vitreous at the back of the eyes that adheres to the retina. The vitreous changes, liquefies and shrinks over the years. These changes cause the vitreous to detach from the retina behind it in a process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). PVD is a normal process that occurs over the years. However, for some patients, the PVD process can result in a hole or tear in the retina. It can therefore lead to retinal detachment. Retinal holes and tears can be treated before progressing to retinal detachment if seen in time.

If you notice new floaters or flashes of light, you should consult your optometrist immediately. During the examination, your optometrist must put drops in the eyes to dilate the pupils. You must wait approximately 30 minutes before proceeding with the fundus examination afterwards.