Patients aged 45 to 50 years old, under the guidance of their doctors, may experience small, floating black shadows in front of their eyes, especially on a bright white background, commonly known as “flying mosquitoes”. It is called vitreous turbidity.
The normal vitreous body is a transparent gel, the intraocular tissue has light transmission, support, shock absorption. At age 4, signs of liquefaction begin to appear. 14 to 18 years old, 20% of the vitreous cavity is liquid. 45 to 50 years old, there is a significant increase in water. 80 to 90 years old, more than 50% of the vitreous body is liquefied. On top of the liquefaction, the vitreous cortex separates from the retina, producing a posterior detachment. It remains attached and produces traction at the site of tight adhesions. The retina in the periphery is thin, and as the eye turns, the involvement can cause retinal fissures or macular fissures.
Approximately 70% of patients have physiologic vitreous opacities. The most common are senile degeneration, myopic changes, posterior vitreous detachment, and physiologic flying mosquitoes, which do not require treatment.
Pathologic vitreous opacities, which can be a complication of or develop as a result of many internal ocular pathologies, account for about 1/4 of cases,. Retinal detachment, uveitis, and glittering vitreous liquefaction can also present with clinical manifestations such as dark shadows in front of the eyes. Treatment is required.
Examination: With direct ophthalmoscopy +6 to +8D, black floating dots or clumps are visible on the background of red light reflection in the fundus when the eye rotation suddenly stops. Under indirect fundoscopy, various floaters of different nature can be clearly distinguished. Ultrasound: vitreous clouding and posterior detachment can be seen.
Pathological clouding should be treated for the primary cause. Fresh vitreous hemorrhage should be treated with bed rest and application of hemostatic drugs. For old hemorrhage, apply drugs that promote the absorption of clouding, such as Dionine eye drops, oral vitamin C, tabazol, etc.; intramuscular injection of Antoine iodine or hyaluronidase. Western medicine should be used in ophthalmology. Surgical treatment: In severe cases where general treatment is ineffective, vitrectomy may be used.