Causes of vitreous opacity in the eye
Disease description:
Recently, I have been seeing black shadows floating in front of my eyes. After an examination, it was determined that I have vitreous opacity. What causes this condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
Vitreous opacity, also known as vitreous haze or floaters, is a common symptom among middle-aged and elderly individuals. It is mainly characterized by black spots, thread-like or cloud-like floating objects appearing in the visual field. The causes of vitreous opacity primarily include the following:
1. Physiological causes: With aging, the vitreous gradually undergoes liquefaction and opacities may develop. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and generally does not require specific treatment.
2. Ocular inflammation: Conditions such as uveitis and retinitis can cause inflammatory reactions, leading to an increase in cells and proteins within the vitreous, resulting in opacity.
3. Intraocular hemorrhage: In conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, or ocular trauma, blood vessels may rupture and bleed into the vitreous cavity, causing vitreous opacity due to the blood components.
4. Postoperative complications: Surgeries such as cataract surgery or retinal detachment repair may cause some degree of damage to the vitreous, leading to opacity.
5. Congenital causes: Residual embryonic mesodermal tissue or cells may result in vitreous opacity.
If vitreous opacity appears suddenly or is accompanied by symptoms such as vision loss or flashes of light, immediate medical attention is recommended.
