Time course of development of posterior vitreous detachment in the fellow eye after development in the first eye.

Abstract

To determine when posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) develops in the fellow eye after development in the first eye. Prospective, observational case series. Fifty-one patients with acute unilateral PVD participated in the study. All patients underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including a dynamic vitreous examination using biomicroscopy with and without a preset lens and retinal examination with scleral depression, every 3 months at least until PVD developed in the fellow eye. Posterior vitreous detachment developed in 4 eyes (8%) within 6 months, 12 eyes (24%) within 1 year, 24 eyes (47%) within 18 months, 33 eyes (65%) within 2 years, 41 eyes (80%) within 30 months, and 46 eyes (90%) within 3 years. In 5 eyes (10%), PVD did not develop during the follow-up period of more than 3 years. Posterior vitreous detachment develops frequently in the fellow eye from 6 months to 2 years after development in the first. These findings are useful for the management of patients with unilateral PVD.