Vitreous

March 23, 2024

The vitreous humor is a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the space in the eye between the lens and the retina. Constituting around 80% of the eye's volume, it is composed mainly of water, along with small amounts of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other proteins. This composition provides the vitreous with a gel-like consistency, which is essential for its functions within the eye.

Functions of the Vitreous

Optical Clarity:

The vitreous is perfectly clear, allowing light to pass through to the retina unobstructed, which is crucial for clear vision.

Support Structure:

It helps maintain the spherical shape of the eye and supports the retina, keeping it in place against the back wall of the eye.

Shock Absorption:

The gel-like nature of the vitreous acts as a shock absorber, protecting the retina and other delicate structures within the eye from damage due to movement or impact.

Common Conditions Affecting the Vitreous

Vitreous Detachment:

As we age, the vitreous gradually shrinks and can separate from the retina. While often harmless, it can sometimes lead to retinal tears or detachment, requiring immediate medical attention.

Vitreous Hemorrhage:

Bleeding into the vitreous can occur due to various reasons, such as diabetic retinopathy or trauma, leading to sudden vision changes or loss.

Floaters:

These are tiny shadows or specks that appear in one's field of vision, caused by small particles floating within the vitreous. While commonly benign, a sudden increase in floaters can indicate more serious issues.

The vitreous is a clear, gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina in the eye. It helps maintain the eye's shape and allows light to pass through to the retina.
Occasional floaters are common, especially with age, and are usually harmless. However, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow in your vision may indicate a retinal tear or detachment and requires immediate medical attention.

Vitreous floaters are small, shadowy shapes that appear in your field of vision, often caused by tiny clumps of gel or cells within the vitreous. They are more noticeable when looking at a bright, uniform background like a clear sky.
Most floaters do not require treatment. In severe cases that significantly impair vision, options like laser vitreolysis or vitrectomy surgery may be considered under the guidance of a retinal specialist.