Posterior Vitrious Detachment

[Margo]

I have just been diagnosed with the above, and am convinced it is connected to my lack of thyroid and struggle to be adequately medicated. Has anyone got this diagnosis, and what did you do about it?

Thank you

[HarryE]

I have had lots of eye problems, including this one, which in my case was due to being very short sighted. It is extremely common, and the risk increases with age, as it is a part of the aging process. So it really depends on your age, it might just have happened anyway,sadly. I know how annoying it is!

[Margo]

Thanks for your reply HarryE. I am 61, and have been told it is an age thing. But there again doctors/consultants always use that get out clause. I too am short sighted, but still convinced it is to do with thyroid, there is some evidence on the internet.

Is there anything you do to help it?

[HarryE in reply to Margo]

As long as they have thoroughly checked that there is no retinal damage, then there's not really much else to do. The floaters will subside a bit eventually,and your brain learns to look past/through them. I have never heard of a link with thyroid issues, but that's not to say there isn't. But it is extremely common with ageing. I had it much younger, before I was 40, but that is due to the shortsight and all the other procedures I had.

[shaws Administrator]

You may well be right suspecting hypo. If you search posterior vitreous detachment above, there have been some posts previously about it. This is also a link I've just read.

rnib.org.uk/eye-health-eye-...

[Fruitandnutcase]

I've had PVDs in both eyes now. It is an age thing. The floaters were really annoying and I was able to see the edge of the detachment for a while which was annoying, I also used to find myself jumping suddenly because I though I had a spider near me then I would realise it was just a floater. Eventually they settle down and you get used to them, I find I see them more in certain lighting conditions.

If you haven't already had it checked out get an optician to do a full eye test to be on the safe side. He / she will also tell you what to look out for - you need to act really quickly if it is actually a detached retina. This link will tell you more rnib.org.uk/eye-health-eye-...

[mumcat2]

I have PVD,but only in one eye. I went to see a consultant (when my optician sent me to A & E who immediately sent me up to her) and she said that it was due to age and extreme short sight (-11.75) She told me that it was nothing to worry about unless it got significantly worse quickly. It's quite right that your brain adapts to it and you're not particularly conscious of it unless your attention is drawn to it. It certainly doesn't interfere with my everyday life,including driving. All the best!

[Margo]

Thank you Mumcat2

[waveylines]

I work in the field of visual impairment and there is definitely a link to being very shortsighted. High prescriptions for short sightedness are a red flag in my world for potential for retinal detachment.

[HarryE in reply to waveylines]

Mmmmmm, its a shame no-one ever tells you that in advance. I didn't have any idea what to look for, and I ended up having major surgery for retinal detachment, that could have been avoided if I had had a bit of education in advance.

[Margo in reply to HarryE]

Confused HarryE, how would it have helped to know in advance if there is nothing you can do about it??

[HarryE in reply to Margo]

A retinal detachment usually starts as a tear, which if you know the signs of, can be fixed with a laser. Once it's got to a full detachment, you need surgery, and it's not pleasant! The surgeon was horrified that I had never been warned what to look out for. If the surgery is unsuccessful, or it isn't caught in time, you lose the vision.

[Margo]

Oh dear! Thank you Wavylines. What about a connection to thyroid?

[scatterbrain]

I have this but it happened years before I became hypothyroid. It is very common, especially if you are severely short-sighted and often happens with age. Not necessarily to do with thyroid ..my sister in law also has it and actually led to detached retina and she doesn't have thyroid problems.

[silverfox7]

I've had this in both eyes but I am long sighted which is a plus for the floaters as I tend not to be very aware of them because of that. I've never even wondered if it was a thyroid thing. I was given a sheet the first time saying floaters are common and increase with age but floaters with flashing lights needs an immediate consultation and to report to eye casualty and one of the wards should it happen at a weekend. Now little concerned that you all mention shortsighted when I'm not!

[Margo in reply to silverfox7]

Interesting response from everyone, seems as though it is quite random.

Thank you