Opacities of the vitreous body

With age, the vitreous body in all people liquefies, in nearsighted people this happens earlier, in people with normal vision later. As a result of this liquefaction, the previously finely organized fibers of the vitreous body can be located next to each other and increase to such a size that the eye is able to distinguish them.

Causes

The shape of the eye is close to the shape of a ball, the inner space of which is filled mainly with a transparent, jelly-like substance.
This substance is called the vitreous body. On the 99%, it consists of water. 1% essential components of the vitreous body are thin fibers that are located in the eyes of young people in a very orderly manner and are therefore invisible.

However, liquefaction of the vitreous body is not such a harmless phenomenon. When viewed, the liquid vitreous body shifts relative to the retina. If some of its fibers are caught on certain parts of the retina, then tension arises in these places. This tension can, in certain cases, cause a defect (hole) in the retina. Through such retinal defects, the vitreous can penetrate under the retina and eventually cause retinal detachment.

Prevention

Only an examination by an eye doctor will help to find out if there is an increased risk of vitreous clouding.

Symptoms

Vitreous particles float in the vitreous fluid and give the patient the impression that thread-like worms or flies are moving before his eyes. The patient experiences these sensations especially when looking at light surfaces and perceives them as a hindrance, although this does not reduce visual acuity.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no way to remove these essentially harmless but unpleasant vitreous opacities from the eye. But, in principle, this is not necessary, since experience shows that, in the end, patients get used to this state, and no longer perceive it as a hindrance. To prevent retinal detachment, it is still necessary to be examined regularly by an ophthalmologist.