Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) & Floaters
The vitreous is a clear, jelly-like substance filling about two-thirds of the eye, between the lens and the retina. As we age, the vitreous shrinks and starts to separate from the retina — a process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) that can cause floaters and flashes of light.
Request an AppointmentMany patients with PVD have no symptoms at all. Others notice floaters or flashing lights. Floaters can take many forms — small dots, circles, lines, clouds, or cobwebs — and sometimes one large floater can be distracting enough to make reading difficult. The flashing lights associated with PVD occur as the vitreous pulls on the light-sensitive retina while detaching.
Is PVD Serious?
Usually, nothing needs to be done medically for PVD itself. Most people find their symptoms fade within about six months as the brain adapts and learns to ignore the floaters. In rare cases, floaters can remain persistent and annoying.
Posterior vitreous detachment doesn’t cause permanent vision loss on its own. The real concern is the small chance of a retinal tear leading to retinal detachment — and it isn’t possible to tell from symptoms alone whether a tear has occurred. This is why it’s important to seek prompt evaluation any time you notice new floaters or flashes. Early evaluation allows us to treat a tear before it progresses to a detachment, improving the chances of a good outcome.
Living With Floaters
Floaters can be genuinely bothersome, getting in the way of reading and other close work. Moving your eyes quickly can sometimes shift a floater out of your direct line of sight by creating currents in the vitreous jelly. Magnification can also help you see around persistent floaters. For most patients, floaters become less noticeable with time as the brain adjusts.
If you notice new floaters or flashes of light, don’t wait — contact us at for a prompt evaluation. We also monitor patients with PVD who have related conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or those undergoing cataract evaluation, since a thorough retinal exam is part of comprehensive eye care.
Request an AppointmentPVD & Floaters FAQs
Are floaters always caused by PVD?
PVD is a common cause of new floaters, especially in patients over 65, though floaters can have other causes as well.
When should I be worried about floaters?
Seek prompt evaluation if you notice a sudden increase in floaters, new flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain across your vision.
Will my floaters go away?
Most people find floaters become less noticeable within about six months as the brain adapts, though some floaters may remain permanently visible.
Does PVD require surgery?
Typically no. PVD itself is monitored rather than treated, unless it leads to a retinal tear or detachment that requires intervention.
Can PVD cause permanent vision loss?
PVD itself does not cause permanent vision loss. The risk comes from the small chance of an associated retinal tear or detachment.
Who is more likely to develop PVD?
PVD is more common with age, affecting roughly 75% of people over 65, and can also occur earlier in nearsighted individuals or after eye trauma or surgery.