Vitreous detachment a good thing?

[Capes55]

Does anyone know if a detached vitreous lessens the risk of retinal detachment?  I've been told it does.

Thanks in advance for any comments

[gentlejim]

I have been diagnosed with epiretinal membrane . This occured after cataract surgery. what is the prognosis for this progressing as it is affecting my near and distance vision?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

In the short term it increases the risk of acute retinal detachement with a new posterior vitreous detachment.  But once the vitreous has completely separated and a few months have passed by, then theoretically your risk of a retinal detachment should be less.  In other words, a great many retinal detachments occur with the acute posterior vitreous detachment.

Michael Kutryb, MD
Kutryb Eye Institute
Titusville, FL
Edgewater, FL