Retinal Detachment: Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Posterior vitreous detachment is caused by collapse of the posterior vitreous with increasing age. Eventually the vitreous detaches from the retina causing flashes of light and the appearance of floaters if haemorrhage occurs at the site of traction. Persistent traction can lead to retinal breaks and subsequent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Other conditions that predispose to atraumatic retinal breaks are:

• Myopia
• Previous cataract surgery
• Peripheral vitreoretinal lesions