You might already know that the space in our eyes between the lens and the retina is filled with vitreous humor, a colorless gel-like substance. You might also know that it tends to deteriorate with age and other factors, distorting vision and causing abnormalities in eye structure. However, the condition doesn’t have to be dangerous, so long as it is treated promptly. Here’s what is known about vitreous degeneration. We hope it helps you avoid the condition or recover from it.

Vitreous and vitreous degeneration

The vitreous humor that fills the eye’s posterior chamber looks a bit like egg white and has a similar consistency. Its makeup is 99% water, and its main purpose is to maintain eyeball health. As it degenerates, vision is progressively impaired. Sufferers may not notice it at first, but they do as it advances. As for the causes and risk factors for vitreous degeneration, there are five types as follows:

·         Age – As we age, vitreous humor naturally degenerates to some degree.  The process begins any time from our 40s to the onset of old age.

·         Eye health – People with short-sightedness tend to experience vitreous degeneration faster than those without it. Those with myopia of over 600 are especially prone, as are those with eye injuries, ulceration, or inflammation.

·         Patient history – Those who have had eye surgery or concussion to the eye are also at higher risk of developing vitreous degeneration.

·         Congenital diseases – Diabetics may develop diabetic eye conditions caused by high blood sugar. This leads to malfunctioning of blood vessels and nerves. More severe symptoms, including vitreous hemorrhage, are followed by vitreous degeneration.

·         Patient lifestyle – Those who use their eyes a lot, whether playing with their mobile phone, reading, or doing work that entails extended periods looking at screens, may be prone to temporary short-sightedness. However, these may not be direct causes and more research needs to be done to be sure. It may simply be that focusing at one distance for too long causes eye discomfort, eye strain, eye irritation, and eye pain.

Vitreous degeneration warning signs

We start to notice vitreous degeneration when our vision becomes cloudy, as shadows, black spots, spiderwebs or wispy clouds, caused by a reduction in vitreous fluid that leads to shrinkage, appear to move around in the sight line. The apparent obstructions are most noticeable in brightly lit areas. Nevertheless, when the sufferer looks carefully, the malfunctions disappear almost immediately.

Vitreous degeneration VS macular degeneration

Vitreous degeneration and macular degeneration are both caused by macular degeneration, and both affect the elderly. However, while some symptoms are similar others differ, giving rise to confusion. Similar symptoms include seeing black dots and flashes, both indicating retinal abnormality. On the other hand, while those with vitreous degeneration see shadows or lines, those with macular degeneration see blurry, distorted images and sometimes also color distortion.

You can read more about macular degeneration here: click

Vitreous degeneration symptoms to see a doctor about

As mentioned, vitreous degeneration naturally occurs as we age or may be accelerated by other factors. For the most part, it is considered a fairly harmless eye disorder. Various abnormalities may be observed, and the process of degeneration goes through three phases:

·         Stage 1 – Patients see black spots, shadows or lines that appear to move when they roll their eyes. They spot initial visual disturbances but as they get used to them, they cease to notice them.

·         Stage 2 – Now the consistency of the vitreous humor becomes watery. The gel shrinks and as it does so, it develops a cloudy sediment that causes it to peel off the retinal surface. The contraction of the humor and pulling back of the retinal surface irritates the retina, causing sufferers to see light flashes similar to camera flash, even when their eyes are closed.

·         Stage 3 – This is the dangerous stage. Retinal tearing may occur caused by the coagulation of sediment in the vitreous humor or bleeding in the retina as the humor peels away. Patients see shadows that reduce the visual field. As the humor infiltrates a tear, so the retina peels. The patient may ultimately lose their sight in either or both eyes.

Diagnosis and treatment of vitreous degeneration

Diagnosis involves examining the patient's vision and eyeball with a slit lamp or endoscope. The retina and vitreous humor are then thoroughly examined by dilating the pupil with a medicinal eye drop and shining the endoscope inside the eye. After the examination, patients may experience temporary blurring due to the eye drops but it disappears in 4-6 hours.

In cases of non-dangerous macular degeneration, most ophthalmologists won’t treat the patient but will make periodic appointments to check the symptoms. With mild disorders, patients may get used to it and by ignoring the symptoms remain able to see normally. Patients with severe symptoms have two treatment options, according to their doctor's discretion, namely:

·         Vitrectomy to remove some vitreous humor using necrotic debris and replace it with saline solution. After surgery, the body naturally generates more vitreous humor to make up the deficiency. The surgery carries risks of causing bleeding in the eye, retinal peeling or tearing, and cataracts.

·         Laser treatment to destroy deteriorated vitreous humor or move it out of the field of vision. This method is safer than surgery but less effective. Its use is mostly limited to cases where symptoms are mild.

How to slow deterioration by nourishing the eyes

The most nutrients that nourish eyes are lutein and zeaxanthin. Both contain carotenoid which our bodies don’t naturally generate and so rely on certain foods for. Both substances help prevent retinal damage by reducing free radicals and filtering out the blue light that damages the eyes. Both substances are found in leafy green vegetables, including Chinese kale, spinach, lettuce, and broccoli. Egg yolks also contain these substances in forms the body can use but only in small amounts.

Vitreous degeneration doesn’t have to be dangerous, so long as patients monitor themselves and get regular checks with a doctor. As ever, prevention is better than cure, so the most important thing is to maintain eye health. Eyes should not be made to work too hard. If you have to stare at a screen or use your eyes for anything for a long time, give them some intermittent rest. And don’t squint at your mobile phone in the dark!

Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance customers who would like to know if they have symptoms can consult an online doctor through Krungthai-AXA Telehealth service. Simply download Emma by AXA application, press “TeleHealth” and confirm your policy number the first time you use the app. For more details, please visit https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/telehealth.

References

·         Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital
https://www.siphhospital.com/th/news/article/share/561
https://bit.ly/3O3OH7h

·         Corporate Communications, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital
https://bit.ly/3unZC2r

·         Bangkok Hospital
https://www.bangkokhospital.com/content/vitreous-degeneration
https://www.phukethospital.com/th/healthy-articles/the-vitreous-deterioration-of-the-eye/
https://www.bangkokhospital.com/content/blue-light-harmful-to-eye

·         Chulabhorn Hospital
https://www.chulabhornhospital.com/page.php?name=1369

·         Pobpad Hospital
https://bit.ly/3wyNMVT
https://bit.ly/3OazscS

·         Bumrungrad Hospital
https://www.bumrungrad.com/th/conditions/retinal-diseases

·         Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University
https://bit.ly/3O1Zgrz