Initial Stages of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Healthy Eyes of Older Persons Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

To promote understanding of the development of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in healthy eyes using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: We studied 209 eyes of 209 healthy volunteers (165 men and 44 women; mean age, 52.3 years [range, 31-74 years]). In addition to biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy, OCT was performed to obtain highresolution cross-sectional images of the vitreoretinal interface in the posterior fundus. Results: The condition of the posterior vitreoretinal interface was classified as 1 of 5 stages, according to biomicroscopic findings and OCT images relative to discrete linear signals indicating a detached posterior vitreous face: stage 0, no PVD (61 eyes [29.2%]); stage 1, incomplete perifoveal PVD in up to 3 quadrants (100 eyes [47.8%]); stage 2, incomplete perifoveal PVD in all quadrants, with residual attachment to the fovea and optic disc (26 eyes [12.4%]); stage 3, incomplete PVD over the posterior pole, with residual attachment to the optic disc

Assessment of the Vitreomacular Interface Using High-Resolution OCT in a Population-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults

“…Superior vitreous separation has been consistently recorded at higher levels than inferiorly in other studies, presumably secondary to gravity. 9,44 We found however that the length of persistent VMA was lowest horizontally, the opposite of previous studies 6,45 from east Asian countries suggesting ethnic differences may affect the pattern of vitreous separation.…”

Assessment of the Vitreomacular Interface Using High-Resolution OCT in a Population-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults

“…Superior vitreous separation has been consistently recorded at higher levels than inferiorly in other studies, presumably secondary to gravity. 9,44 We found however that the length of persistent VMA was lowest horizontally, the opposite of previous studies 6,45 from east Asian countries suggesting ethnic differences may affect the pattern of vitreous separation.…”

Ultrasound-Based Assessment of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Healthy Eyes: Clinical and Biometric Factors Associated with More Advanced PVD

“…Regarding foveal thickness, no statistically significant differences were found between the different degrees of PVD. This finding is consistent with what was described by Uchino et al [ 2 ], who reported that in the absence of significant traction, foveal thickness remains relatively stable. Complementarily, studies such as those of Ito et al [ 18 ] and Gupta et al [ 19 ] described foveal thinning in scenarios of marked vitreous traction or advanced macular pathology.…”

Impact of posterior vitreous detachment on visual acuity after the implantation of a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens

“…Age-related PVD progresses slowly over many years, eventually leading to complete PVD with the release of vitreopapillary adhesion. 29 Being female is a known risk factor for early onset of PVD, and the results of this study were consistent with those of previous studies. 30,31 Hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to changes in the vitreous.…”

Assessment of the Vitreomacular Interface Using High-Resolution OCT in a Population-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults

“…Superior vitreous separation has been consistently recorded at higher levels than inferiorly in other studies, presumably secondary to gravity. 9,44 We found however that the length of persistent VMA was lowest horizontally, the opposite of previous studies 6,45 from east Asian countries suggesting ethnic differences may affect the pattern of vitreous separation.…”

Ultrasound-Based Assessment of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Healthy Eyes: Clinical and Biometric Factors Associated with More Advanced PVD

“…Regarding foveal thickness, no statistically significant differences were found between the different degrees of PVD. This finding is consistent with what was described by Uchino et al [ 2 ], who reported that in the absence of significant traction, foveal thickness remains relatively stable. Complementarily, studies such as those of Ito et al [ 18 ] and Gupta et al [ 19 ] described foveal thinning in scenarios of marked vitreous traction or advanced macular pathology.…”

Impact of posterior vitreous detachment on visual acuity after the implantation of a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens

“…Age-related PVD progresses slowly over many years, eventually leading to complete PVD with the release of vitreopapillary adhesion. 29 Being female is a known risk factor for early onset of PVD, and the results of this study were consistent with those of previous studies. 30,31 Hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to changes in the vitreous.…”

Assessment of the Vitreomacular Interface Using High-Resolution OCT in a Population-Based Cohort Study of Older Adults

“…Superior vitreous separation has been consistently recorded at higher levels than inferiorly in other studies, presumably secondary to gravity. 9,44 We found however that the length of persistent VMA was lowest horizontally, the opposite of previous studies 6,45 from east Asian countries suggesting ethnic differences may affect the pattern of vitreous separation.…”

Ultrasound-Based Assessment of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Healthy Eyes: Clinical and Biometric Factors Associated with More Advanced PVD

“…Regarding foveal thickness, no statistically significant differences were found between the different degrees of PVD. This finding is consistent with what was described by Uchino et al [ 2 ], who reported that in the absence of significant traction, foveal thickness remains relatively stable. Complementarily, studies such as those of Ito et al [ 18 ] and Gupta et al [ 19 ] described foveal thinning in scenarios of marked vitreous traction or advanced macular pathology.…”

Impact of posterior vitreous detachment on visual acuity after the implantation of a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens

“…Age-related PVD progresses slowly over many years, eventually leading to complete PVD with the release of vitreopapillary adhesion. 29 Being female is a known risk factor for early onset of PVD, and the results of this study were consistent with those of previous studies. 30,31 Hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to changes in the vitreous.…”