Posterior vitreous detachment

[Gillian36]

I had an unexpected issue in the last few days which started with large black flashes then the following day black ‘squiggles’ - went to Eye AandE and they said nothing to do with my normal tension glaucoma and I will have to live with this annoying condition which is very distracting. Has anyone else had this issue and does it settle down and get less distracting over time?

[Iamfedup]

I have this, I was told that there was a chance it may go, eight months later it hasn’t

[Dorset22]

I have had this in both eyes a few years apart. It is quite frightening at the time. I believe if you are short sighted it can happen. Now I have Monopost for high eye pressures. The blurry floaters do get filtered out by the brain but I find they can return if there is bright sunshine or I am tired. Reactolite lens help.

[Astilbe in reply to Dorset22]

I had these about 15 or so years ago. I had them in both eyes for a year or so then they went. Apparently the vitreous becomes gradually detached from the eyeball causing it.I think that yours will eventually go, I hope that it does, I know it can be quite distracting.

[KayGeeBee]

I had a PVD in one eye 15 months ago. Lots of flashes and large black worms late one evening. 111 sent me to A&E where I was seen at 4am to rule out retinal detachment. Eye clinic confirmed a PVD later that day. The flashes and worms had mostly gone by then. It was a brief episode for me. I had gained a few floaters which are insignificant and I occasionally see flashes as the lump of jelly knocks into the retina. Most noticeable when I wake in the morning - the flashes look like coloured ring segments. Otherwise no lasting issues and certainly not a problem.

[Ripley001]

HI, I have this and didn’t know it anything about it when I was diagnosed . I had to research it myself . I run a Facebook group for people who have it as although it’s a natural part of the ageing process, for some of us it can be debilitating and affect our daily life . I find I struggle at work with the floaters in one eye. Your brain does adjust after a while and you don’t “see” them as much . Some people suffer more than others and some people don’t even notice it’s happened . I also have occular hypertension and am short sighted .

[Dorset22 in reply to Ripley001]

What is your Facebook site please. Thank you.

[Ripley001 in reply to Dorset22]

Hi, it’s called: posterior virtuous detachment (PVD) self help group . It’s general support and advice from fellow suffers . It’s very friendly .

[BladerRunner51]

hi Gillian,

I had very similar symptoms as described by the other posters. I had mine back in January this year. It was scary at first - I remember my option telling me when I first got contact lenses when I was 16 that because I was very short sighted I was at risk of retinal detachment and the symptoms would be similar to a broken windscreen so I’ve always been wary of things going on in my eye. The symptoms I had in January were lots of flashes and very strange floaters bouncing around my right eye. Went to eye A&E and was diagnosed with probably PVD - no retinal detachment. Been to my options since and he can see the PVD. I still have one worm like floater that just won’t go away be getting used to it now. I still see flashes when it’s dark. All part of the ageing process, apparently.

All the best,

Stephen