Symptomatic vitreous floaters

The vitreous humor is a gel composed of extracellular matrix and water. It is one of the elements responsible for maintaining the transparency of the intraocular cavity, and thus, the transmission of light to the retina without interference. This transparency can be affected by physiological changes in its structure such as aging or myopia (primary etiology), as well as external or secondary causes (hemorrhage, increased cellularity or crystal deposits), causing vitreous opacities. The clinical expression of these opacities is the visualization of mobile spots in the visual field (myodesopsia or entopsia). The primary causes can usually be managed conservatively, if they do not involve retinal involvement, but in some cases they can considerably affect the quality of life. This can be assessed by objective methods such as: ultrasound, optical coherence tomography or laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, or subjective such as: quality of life or contrast sensitivity questionnaires. In these cases, interventional management with Nd:YAG laser therapy or vitrectomy can be considered.