NY Cataract Surgeon on Vitreous Detachment after Surgery

Many cataract surgery patients experience posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) after their cataract operation. Satish Modi, M.D. a Cataract Surgeon in NY at Seeta Eye Centers with offices serving the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Carmel, New York explained why. “While there might not be a direct cause and effect relationship we can point to, there are in fact a number of reasons why we see more patients with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) after their cataract surgery.” Some possible factors that may contribute to this experience include: 

• The vitreous changes that lead to vitreous liquefication and instability and ultimately PVD are age-related, as are cataracts and the need for cataract surgery. 
• Removal of a cataract can allow mechanical space shifts in the vitreous gel and perhaps increase the odds of PVD. 
• Biochemical changes actually do occur following cataract surgery and these appear to increase the likelihood of PVD, particularly if the posterior lens capsule is opened. 
• Unusual complications of cataract surgery can disrupt the integrity of the vitreous gel and increase the odds of PVD. 

“As a practical matter, what we know clinically is that it is pretty typical for some 50% or more of patients undergoing cataract surgery to experience a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), with some patients noticing visual symptoms including a “cobweb” or some floaters,” explained Dr. Modi. “If the visual symptoms become excessive or are accompanied by a curtain or veil in your vision, or perhaps distortion of your vision, we want to hear from you immediately.” 

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery, bladeless laser cataract surgery or posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), please feel free to call Seeta Eye Centers and schedule an eye examination by calling 845-454-1025, visiting Seeta Eye Centers or facebook.com/seetaeyecenters. 

Seeta Eye Centers is conveniently located for patients from Westchester County, Rockland County and throughout the Hudson Valley, Dutchess County and Orange County including Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Middletown, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Beacon, Bedford, Catskill, Cornwall, Eastchester, Ellenville, Florida, Goshen, Harriman, Harrison, Highland, Highland Falls, Kerhonkson, Mahopac, Monroe, Montgomery, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, New City, Scarsdale, Saugerties, Spring Valley, Tarrytown, West Point, White Plains, Woodstock, Yorktown Heights and Yonkers, NY.