Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): How long to resolve?

Posted , 15 users are following.

PVD is supposedly very common in those over age 65. (I'm 73.) I experienced a significant PVD event in my right eye 3 weeks ago. My vision was very blurred in that eye and I had a lot of eye strain. However, I wasn't yet familiar with "PVD" so I immediately went to my eye doctor. He thoroughly examined and tested my eyes and made the diagnosis. He said there was nothing I could have done to prevent it and there is no way to treat it......except through time and nature taking its course. He said the vitreous material will dissipate into smaller pieces as time goes by (2 to 6 months) and my brain will compensate for some of the focus problem. The doctor said to alleviate the eye strain issue, I should shut my eyes for 10 minutes or so until the pain subsides.

It's now been 3 weeks for me and I do sense some decrease in my focusing problem (especially reading/computer use) and eye strain, but the problem is still there. Has anyone been through a significant PVD experience? After the 2 to 6 months, did you find that the problem was essentially all gone and your focus was back to what it was pre-PVD?

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Ive recently been diagnosed 2 weeks ago as having a PVD in my right eye once again 14 years after having experienced it for the first time. Ive also had PVD in my left eye 11 years ago. The symptoms this.time however are more severe with double vision and blurriness. Both my optician and the eye doctor at the hospital confirmed they couldn't detect either retinal detachment or tear but i am so worried that there is something else underlying. Has anyone else experienced such severe symptoms and how long did they last.

  • Posted

    Ive recently been diagnosed 2 weeks ago as having a PVD in my right eye once again 14 years after having experienced it for the first time. Ive also had PVD in my left eye 11 years ago. The symptoms this.time however are more severe with double vision and blurriness. Both my optician and the eye doctor at the hospital confirmed they couldn't detect either retinal detachment or tear but i am so worried that there is something else underlying. Has anyone else experienced such severe symptoms and how long did they last.

  • Posted

    6 months is a long time, its unheard of for the treatment for a problem taking that long. If after that long you do not see solution its time to go back to your doctor.

  • Posted

    I had a PVD in my right eye 15 years ago, and then one in my left 3 years later, both without detachment. The symptoms now are mostly the same as they were when it happened: Lots of large floaters, especially in my central vision. I have to move them out of the way to pass an eye exam, and they interfere with reading somewhat. Flashers have diminished over time.

    I did look into both the laser disintegration method and vitrectomy. The former seemed too risky, and my retinologist discouraged me from trying it. The latter he said he could justify only if I could no longer do my work.

    I've mostly accepted them, but I never got to the point when my brain would just filter them out. Your situation may be different, of course,

  • Posted

    i am at 3 weeks if PVD in left eye. Flashers have lessened but eye strain continues. Has your strain gotten better ?

    • Posted

      That's good news about the flashers. They're more of a concern than floaters or PVD junk.

      My PVD material/junk is still floating around in my eye after some years, but frankly I don't really think about or am conscious of it very often. I think my brain finds a way to substantially ignore it most of the time. I really no longer have concerns about it. I certainly would not consider any time of surgery or laser treatment, given the inherent risks.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.