The destruction of the vitreous: the causes, forms and treatment of the disease

The destruction of the vitreous humor is a very dangerous problem, which, in the absence of treatment, leads to deterioration and even complete loss of vision.

First, it should be noted that the vitreous is a gel-like substance that fills the inner cavity of the eyeball. It not only shapes the eye, but also is responsible for the refraction of light and its transfer to the retina, and also provides turgor and elasticity of tissues. That is why any change in it directly affects the state of the visual analyzer.

What is the destruction of the vitreous body?

Any change in the structure, composition, and form of the vitreous humus is called destruction. As a rule, this phenomenon has an age-related character - by 50-60 years, slow destructive processes begin. But sometimes the disease appears in an earlier and even childish age - it already requires specialist help. So what changes can occur?

• The most common form of destruction is the partial or complete dilution of the vitreous. In such cases, voids begin to form inside, which gradually fill with liquids, fibers, protein strands - these elements can float freely in the substance of the vitreous, causing visual impairment.
• The destruction of the vitreous body can be accompanied by the deposition of crystals of tyrosine, cholesterol or other substances.
• The most serious form of the disease is the wrinkling of the vitreous. In such cases, the substance begins to gradually contract, pulling the vitreoretinal ligaments. Quite often in this state there is also a detachment of the vitreous from the retina, as well as ligament ruptures, hemorrhages and other dangerous phenomena. It is very important to consult a doctor on time, as damage to the retina can lead to irreversible pathologies.

Why is the destruction of the vitreous body?

In fact, the causes of such a disease are not always clear. It is known only that the destruction can be caused by any factor that can disrupt the physicochemical properties and equilibrium in the colloidal solution of the vitreous gel. These include inflammatory processes and some infectious diseases of the eyes, as well as violations in the work of endocrine glands, liver, kidneys and other organs. Sometimes the state of the eyeball can be affected by a bad habit, wrong way of life, constant exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The destruction of the vitreous humor: diagnosis and treatment

First, consult an experienced ophthalmologist. As a rule, in order to make a definitive diagnosis, the doctor should examine the fundus, do some laboratory tests and conduct an ultrasound. Only then will he determine not only the presence of the disease, but also the stage of its development. To date, there are several methods of treatment of destruction:

• If there is no serious threat to vision, the doctor will prescribe the intake of vitamins and some stimulant medications.
• Remember that with such a disease you need to adhere to an exceptionally healthy lifestyle, abandon bad habits and regularly undergo examinations.
• If the condition of the eyeball is more serious, the doctor may prescribe vitrectomy - this is a surgical method of treatment, the essence of which consists in partial excision of the vitreous body and filling of free space with a special solution. If the destruction affects the condition of other elements of the eye, they also require treatment - for example, sometimes it is necessary to transplant the artificial lens of the eye.

To date, there is a more safe and painless method - vitreolisis. With the help of a laser beam, the doctor destroys the floating particles and fibers inside, without disturbing the integrity of the vitreous. Unfortunately, this technique is not too common and is conducted only in some specialized clinics.