Most people experience some changes in their vision as they age. You might notice new symptoms of dry eye and experience floaters around the same time, and wonder if they may be connected. Our team at Vivid Eye Care is here to help you understand your vision.
While dry eye doesn’t directly cause vitreous detachment (also called PVD), the two conditions can occur around the same time in life as part of common age-related vision changes. Understanding both may help you know what to look for and when to seek support from a member of our team.
What Is Vitreous Detachment?
Inside your eye, you have a gel-like fluid called the vitreous. This gel contains tiny fibres that connect to your retina (the tissue at the back of your eye). As you age, the vitreous can shrink and pull away from the retina, which is called a vitreous detachment, or posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Age is one of the most common reasons for a vitreous detachment. Other factors may include eye trauma or being very nearsighted. If a vitreous detachment happens in one eye, it may happen in the other eye later.
Key Signs and Symptoms of Vitreous Detachment
A vitreous detachment doesn’t cause much discomfort. Instead, the signs you would notice are all visual, and an eye exam can help to provide you and your eye doctor with a clear picture of what might be happening inside your eye.
- A sudden increase of floaters: These may look like small dark spots, squiggly lines, or even cobwebs that drift across your vision, but they can also appear as other things.
- Flashes of light: You might see quick flashes, like a camera flash, in your peripheral (side) vision.
If you see something that looks like a dark shadow or a curtain moving across your vision, see an eye doctor as soon as you can. This can be a sign of a retinal detachment, which is different from a vitreous detachment and is considered an ocular emergency. Getting it checked can help protect your sight.
A Closer Look at Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye is a common condition that can be caused by many different factors. Generally, dry eye is a condition where your tears don’t keep your eyes moist enough. Though some can find relief with at-home treatments, sometimes those with dry eyes may need dedicated dry eye therapy to be comfortable day-to-day.
Signs of Dry Eye
The discomfort from dry eyes can show up in several ways. If you have dry eyes, you might experience:
- A stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling
- Redness and irritation
- Watery eyes, which are your body’s response to the irritation
- Temporarily blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty with contact lens wear
The Connection Between Dry Eye and Floaters
Dry eye disease does not cause a vitreous detachment. However, the irritation from dry eye might make you notice floaters more. The two conditions sometimes appear around the same time, but it’s important to know that one doesn’t cause the other.
Lubricating Eye Drops
Lubricating eye drops are designed to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes by adding moisture to the surface of the eye. Because the vitreous gel is inside the eye, beneath the cornea (the clear lens on the outside of the eye), eye drops won’t make floaters go away.
Your Options for Management and Relief
Both dry eye and vitreous detachment have management options available. Your eye doctor can suggest a personalized approach to help you feel comfortable. This can also help protect your vision for the long term.
How to Manage Dry Eye
For dry eye, relief can often start with solutions such as lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, or omega-3 supplements. If those options don’t provide enough relief, your eye doctor may discuss other alternatives. These can include treatments to improve tear function.
How to Manage Vitreous Detachment
Most of the time, a vitreous detachment doesn’t require any treatment. The flashes of light typically fade, and the floaters often become less noticeable over time. However, it is still important to have it checked by an eye doctor to make sure it isn’t a sign of a more serious issue, such as a retinal tear or detachment.
Regular eye exams are a key part of monitoring your health.
Booking Your Next Eye Exam
One of our eye doctors in Cranston Market or Meadows Mile can perform a complete eye exam to assess your eyes for possible issues. Our team would love to answer your questions and help you find the right path forward that works for you.
Your eyes and vision are precious. The team at Vivid Eye Care is here to help you preserve them. Book your appointment today to get the answers and support you need.
