2006-09-05 12:47:56 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
The vitreous humor is a jelly-like substance that fills your eye. It's kind of like the shock absorber for your retina. As you age the vitreous gets less jelly-like and may pull away from the retina. This can cause small tears in the retina.
In most people, vitreous degeneration is a normal process of aging and doesn't cause any problems. But in some, it can cause this retinal tearing.
2006-09-05 12:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by rhubarb3142 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vitreous degeneration is a normal process of ageing. During this process the crystalline hyaline membrane around the jelly inside the eye (the vitreous humour) shrinks. In a small number of cases as it does so, it also pulls at the retina and can cause retinal detachment. As this happens the patient may experience brief flashes in the visual field.
Vitreous floaters are small clumps of cells that separate from the interior of the eyeball. They appear as mobile black 'cobweb' like structures in the visual field.
Vitreous floaters are very common and not a cause for alarm. However if they appear in quantity or in association with other visual symptoms such as the flashes described it is important to seek professional advice.
2006-09-05 12:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.coopereyecare.com/vitreous_degeration.htm
2006-09-05 12:54:07 · answer #3 · answered by Skypilot49 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋