Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a common degenerative, usually bilateral, condition carrying with it the risk of damage to the associated retina.
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With age the vitreous becomes more liquefied (synchysis senilis) and shrinks (vitreous syneresis). Fine collagen fibrils in the vitreous may congregate, forming small 'floating' opacities. The vitreous moves more readily with eye movements or trauma, tugging the hyaloid membrane anteriorly, away from the retinal internal limiting membrane. Retinal tearing or oedema may subsequently occur. If there is flow of the liquid vitreous under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), it may lead to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
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