Vitreous degeneration occurs as the vitreous gel in the eye begins to liquefy and shrink with age. This can cause floaters which appear as spots or lines moving in the vision. In advanced cases, the vitreous may detach from the retina. There are three main types: benign floaters which do not affect vision, symptomatic floaters which cause flashes of light and may lead to retinal detachment, and degenerative vitreous syndrome which severely impacts vision. While floaters typically do not require treatment, retinal tears or detachments may require laser treatment or vitrectomy surgery to remove the vitreous gel.

1. Vitreous Degeneration
M.AYYANPERUMAL
B.Sc. Optometry

2. Vitreous
 Vitreous is the gel-like substance that fills the inside of
the eye behind the lens
 It helped maintain the shape of the eye
 Vitreous also contains fibers that attach
surface of the retina

3. • What is Vitreous Degeneration?
- Vitreous begins to liquefy and
shrink. Then the fibers can pull
on the retina.
- Vitreous degeneration results in floaters.
- Small moving dots or wispy
gray spots or lines.
- The final stage of vitreous degeneration
occurs - posterior vitreous detachment(PVD)

4.  Vitreous many fibers are attached to retina of the eye.
 Healthy vitreous is transparent - degenerative - opacities
and clumps in this, floaters
 These floaters - dark black or grey spots or lines roving
with the movement of eye in the field of vision
 Patients complain - strands of hair, flies, cobwebs, letter
C etc. in their vision since floaters - shadows on retina
 Advanced stage, mark as round shadow on retina
 Blood or inflammatory debris inside the vitreous look
like floaters.

5. Types of Vitreous Degeneration
1 .Benign Vitreous Floaters or Vitreous
Detachment
2 .Symptomatic Vitreous Floaters or Vitreous
Opacities:
3 .Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome / DVS

6. 1. Benign Vitreous Floaters or
Vitreous Detachment
 It’s starting phase, Associated with aging.
 Vitreous become stringy and shrinks
 As it often occurs on posterior wall - posterior vitreous
detachment (PVD).
 It appears as spots, strands, cobwebs or dark shadows etc.
 Particles and fibers moving in vitreous that emit its shadow on the
retinal wall.
 It’s no permanent effect - weeks to months. It’s does not affect the
vision.

7. Symptomatic Vitreous Floaters or
Vitreous Opacities
 Floaters present with symptoms
 Multiple dark colored floaters present in vitreous gel
 Flashes of lights present - floaters.
 Further progress - retinal detachment.
 Sometimes it is vitreous hemorrhage or some kind of
inflammation.

8. Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome /
DVS
 Mostly seen in elders of 50 years or above
 Persistent form of this disorder that severely affects the vision
 Complain about routine work like reading, driving and other skills
required to see
 Blinking of eyes,
 Rubbing or moving head from side

9. Causes of Vitreous Degeneration
 Advancing again - Mostly affected patients are 50 years or above,
while few cases of 40 years and above had also been reported.
 Eye trauma or any inflammation in eyes - formation of floaters.
 Myopia or near sightedness. Patients of myopia may experience
these degenerative changes at an early age.
 Cataract surgery or previously done any laser treatment or surgery of
eye may also increase the risk of formation of floaters in some
people.

10. Treatment of Vitreous Degeneration
 Floater: Need no treatment
 Sudden Increase In Floater: Full eye examination is required.
Treatment then depends on severity.
 Floaters with Flashes of Light: Comprehensive dilated eye
examination should be done by expert. If it suggests early retinal
tear, Laser therapy may be beneficial
 Retinal Detachment: Surgery - Vitrectomy is advised.

11. Vitrectomy -- Remove the vitreous gel
Complications after operation.
 Cataract
 Retinal detachment
 High pressure pain inside eye. Mostly in patients of
Glaucoma.
 Hemorrhage
 Inflammation and infection in eyes

12. Post-Surgery Recovery Period for
Vitreous Degeneration
 After Surgery for - successful and relieves patient thoroughly.
 Recovery is quick - healing period of few weeks,
 proper rest while scars heal and vision improves.
 After one to two weeks the patient may return to normal activities.
 Increase in altitude, climbing, adventure sports and travelling
avoided during the initial one or two weeks.
 Abnormal signs or symptoms must be reported immediately.

13. Thank you