Destruction of the vitreous body of the eye: what is dangerous, causes, how to treat

Today, the need to restore vision is becoming increasingly important in medicine. Patients complain of decreased visual acuity and clarity of perception. Many people see double objects or see "flies" before their eyes. In an attempt to understand what these "flies" are and where they come from, scientists have come to the conclusion that the cause is the destruction of the vitreous body of the eye. This is a fairly complex disease that is difficult to treat.

What is the danger of vitreous destruction?

The most dangerous are considered to be detachments, liquefactions, and wrinklings.

Liquefaction is accompanied by the formation of empty spaces. Also, there is an accumulation of intraocular fluid and protein compounds. Fibril fibers are formed, which stick together and form various configurations in the field of vision, they are associated with flies, cobwebs, octopuses. At the same time, threads and balls of yarn are formed.

An even more dangerous type of destruction is wrinkling, the end result of which is retinal detachment. It is a significant reduction in the size of the vitreous body, the formation of folds. Gradually, the structure is deformed, the vitreoretinal structures are stretched, which can lead to rupture or detachment.

Epidemiology

By form, there are three types of destruction: filiform, crystalline and granular. By frequency of occurrence, the filiform form predominates: 52%. Crystalline accounts for 4%, granular - 44%. The trigger factor that starts the development of the filiform form of pathology is mainly (in 71% of cases) atherosclerotic processes and progressive myopia.

The development of the granular form of pathology is facilitated by the inflammatory process in the inner reticular layer. It is for this reason that 68% of cases of granular destruction develop.

Cholesterol and tyrosine crystals cause the development of crystalline destruction in 42% of cases.

Spots before the eyes occur in approximately 50% of people over the age of 60.

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Causes vitreous destruction

Destruction can occur for various reasons. Almost always, the vitreous body undergoes degenerative and dystrophic changes with age. Such changes begin at about 40 years of age and are finally formed by the age of 60. Congenital myopia, weakening of the eye muscle, can entail similar changes. Often, the pathology is a consequence of vascular disorders, occurs against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia, arterial and venous disorders. Dystrophic changes in blood vessels can also entail pathology. Cervical osteochondrosis, various hormonal and neuropsychic changes, pregnancy, taking hormonal drugs can provoke the disease.

Various injuries and damage to the head, neck, eyes, and eye surgeries are also considered as causes. Long-term physical exertion, stress, neuropsychic overstrain, exposure to radiation, toxins, and biological objects also act as one of the causes of pathology.

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Risk factors

The risk group includes elderly people, pregnant women, people during hormonal changes (adolescence, menopause). The risk also increases significantly when taking certain medications, in particular, hormonal agents. To avoid the risk, it is impossible to allow the development of osteochondrosis, myopia and weakness of the eye muscle.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis is based on the disruption of the normal structure of the transparent substance located between the lens and the retina. Normally, the vitreous body is transparent and is represented by special threads (fibrils) that are localized in the gel. Various pathological conditions and diseases lead to aging of the fibrils, which break quite quickly and lose elasticity. Various aging products are deposited on top of them in the form of grains.

The process is accompanied by clouding and the formation of spots that are quite visible on a white background or in daylight. It is these grains, fragments of fibrils that a person perceives as flies, threads. They can envelop the eye, like a film, significantly reducing vision.

Most often, the central sections of the colloidal gel undergo destructive transformations. The process occurs in several stages. At the first stage, a cavity is formed that contains liquid and coagulated collagen masses. Subsequently, an increasing number of fibrillar proteins are involved in the pathological process. They undergo coagulation, go far beyond the formation, as a result of which the jelly-like substance turns into liquid and fills the space between the lens and the retina.

Gradually, substances of various configurations are formed, attached to the fundus and entail wrinkling, triggering the adhesion process. The vitreous body decreases in volume, its deformation occurs, as a result of which the vitreoretinal connections are stretched and subsequently retinal detachment occurs.

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Symptoms vitreous destruction

Destruction of the vitreous body manifests itself as a defect that occurs in the visual field. These can be structures of various configurations, for example, threads of different thickness, balls of yarn, flies that constantly fly before the eyes. The forms can be absolutely anything, while in the same person they remain constant. Quite often, flashes, lightning appear before the eyes.

These phenomena are especially noticeable on a light background, during the daytime, against any bright surfaces. If the lighting is insufficient, or in the dark, a person, as a rule, does not notice anything like this, and does not experience any discomfort. Sometimes such phenomena can occur due to nerves: after stress, nervous tension, overwork. Some people have the feeling that objects are moving after their gaze, as a result of which it is impossible to focus their gaze.

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First signs

The first signs of destruction are the appearance of various small objects before the eyes. They move, less often - stand still. Most often, people compare such objects with flies, spots, clouding before the eyes. In ophthalmology, such periodically emerging images are usually called optical phenomena. They occur mainly when blood pressure increases, when hitting the head. They can occur as a result of a sudden change in position, when lifting weights.

Optical objects are characterized by constancy, stable shape and good visibility on a light background. When such first symptoms appear, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the disease, identify its cause and take the necessary measures.

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Forms

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  Filamentous

Destruction of the filamentous form is typical for patients suffering from atherosclerosis. Also, the formation of filaments can be a consequence of dystrophic changes in the retina. One of the most common pathologies that occurs in patients with myopia. Such changes can appear in old age.

If you examine the fundus with a slit lamp, you can see fibers that differ significantly in shape and size. Optically empty spaces are clearly visible between them. This is the zone where the vitreous body is liquefied. There are different forms of severity of the disease: from minimal to extremely severe.

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  Granular

During a biomicroscopic examination of the eye, a suspension of microparticles of various sizes, shapes and colors is detected. The suspension is represented by the remains of the disintegrated structure of the vitreous body. Also included are cellular elements, components of cellular membranes. It is possible to detect ciliary cells of the retina, leukocytes, lymphocytes, pigment cells that have entered from defective vessels. A powerful destructive process develops, which is based on inflammation of the inner layer of the retina. Often occurs against the background of chronic or acute uveitis, diabetic retinopathies, hemophthalmos. In hemophthalmos, the grains are red.

• Like golden rain

Patients often claim that golden sparks appear before their eyes. They become especially pronounced when moving their eyes. This indicates functional disorders of various organs, in particular: kidneys, liver, endocrine glands. Often the cause is a violation of metabolic processes, which only worsen over time. As a result, the colloidal environments of the body change, their composition changes.

Similar processes occur in the vitreous body. Pathological local changes develop in it, active precipitation and coagulation processes unfold. Crystals are deposited, consisting mainly of cholesterol and tyrosine. The main accumulation occurs in the vitreous body. When moving, they oscillate like a pendulum, and active luminescence and iridescence begin. It is for this reason that the symptom was called "golden rain". This form of destruction is quite rare.

The pathology can be diagnosed using ophthalmoscopy, a standard technique that is quite often used in diagnostic practice.

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  Mixed

Mixed destruction refers to a type of pathology in which two types of destruction, or all three, develop simultaneously. Most often, both filamentous and granular pathology are observed simultaneously, in which both filamentous elements and granular components can be found in the eye cavity. Combination with crystalline destruction is extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1.5% of cases.

Destruction of the vitreous body of both eyes

Destruction can develop in one or both eyes. In most cases, destructive changes first affect one eye, then gradually the pathological process spreads to the other eye. Most often, granular and filamentous destruction spreads to both eyes. Crystalline destruction is rare.

Vitreous destruction in a child

In children, destruction is observed much less frequently than in adults or the elderly. Most often, destruction in children is a consequence of trauma or injury to the eye or brain. Congenital myopia, myopia, as well as stress, fatigue, nervous and mental overstrain can lead to destruction of the vitreous body. Most often, children experience filamentous destruction, less often - granular. Cases of crystalline destruction are little known, and arose mainly against the background of delayed mental and physical development, metabolic disorders.

Complications and consequences

The consequence of the destruction of the vitreous body is the formation of voids in which fluid accumulates. Gradually, they are filled with intraocular fluid. The eye is subject to necrotic and dystrophic processes. The most dangerous complication is retinal rupture or detachment.

How to stop the destruction of the vitreous body?

In order to stop the destruction of the vitreous body, qualified help from specialists is required. It is not possible to do this on your own. First of all, you need to contact a retinologist who will conduct an examination of the fundus. In order to identify pathology, the ophthalmoscopy method is used, which is an examination of the eye using a slit lamp.

The main condition is early diagnostics, which makes it possible to promptly identify the cause of the formation of flies. This significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and prevents further progression of the disease. The doctor determines the specifics of therapy, depending on the identified pathologies. Surgery or laser correction may be required, since there is no specific conservative treatment.

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Diagnostics vitreous destruction

Diagnostics is based on recognizing pathology primarily based on the clinical picture. Therefore, it is important to carefully study the patient's medical history and illness, obtain the necessary data and information about the patient. Based on the patient's subjective feelings and objective examination data, a preliminary diagnosis is made. If there is insufficient data, additional laboratory and instrumental studies may be prescribed. Differential diagnostics are also performed, which allows one to clearly distinguish the signs of one disease from another. It is important to pay attention to concomitant diseases, since they can also cause the development of destruction. Often, destruction is not the main disease, but a secondary pathology that has developed as a result of another disease.

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Tests

The need for laboratory tests arises rarely, since the main method of research is instrumental diagnostics. Rarely, a bacteriological study of tear fluid may be required. Such a need arises mainly in case of bacterial eye damage, suspected conjunctivitis.

In case of acute inflammatory process, a clinical blood test is taken. In case of crystalline form of destruction, which occurs against the background of metabolic disorders, a biochemical blood test and a detailed immunogram may be required.

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Instrumental diagnostics

The basis of instrumental diagnostics is ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, which allow to study the eye itself and the fundus in detail. Additional research methods that can provide the necessary amount of information are ultrasound, tonometry and visometry.

Using the ophthalmoscopic method, it is possible to detect optically empty cavities, which in most cases are represented by vertical slits. In the presence of complete destruction, a single cavity filled with fragments of fibrils is detected. The border membrane can be destroyed, then the retrolental space is absent. If the opacity is localized along the edge of the retina, specific changes will not be detected.

Using a slit lamp, biomicroscopy reveals a colloidal gel, turbidity in the form of flakes. In filamentous destruction, loop-shaped collagen fibers are found. Granular destruction manifests itself as a cluster of small particles. The particles are predominantly gray or brown. In the later stages, clusters of grains can be detected as a separate conglomerate.

Ultrasound examination is also a very informative method of examination. It is used most often in the presence of hemorrhages in the retina or vitreous body. It makes it possible to identify the source of hemorrhage. The presence of echo-negative signals from crystal lattices inside the colloid, as well as the mobility of crystals, grains and collagen clusters indicate liquefaction of the vitreous body.

Optical coherence tomography is performed if other methods of examination have not provided the necessary amount of information. Destruction will be indicated by a decrease in size and an atypical shape of the vitreous body, its turbidity and non-uniform consistency. In case of massive hemophthalmos, the method is contraindicated.

The degree of vision loss can be diagnosed using the visometry method.

Tonometry is used to measure intraocular pressure.

Differential diagnosis

In order to make a final diagnosis, it is necessary to clearly separate the signs of destruction from other diseases that have similar manifestations. Thus, similar flies and spots before the eyes can occur with a retinal rupture, head injury and neurological disorders.

These diseases can be ruled out by physical examination, vision testing, fundus examination, and examination using a slit lamp and ophthalmoscope.

Treatment vitreous destruction

The treatment is quite complex and is selected strictly individually for each patient. The intensity and direction of therapy is determined by the nature and extent of the lesions, as well as by how damaged the patient's vision is. The impact of the pathology on the patient's performance, physical and mental state is also taken into account.

Specific treatment has not been developed to date. There are still no methods that would allow effective and risk-free removal of fibrillary growths. Therefore, the basis of therapy is the focus on identifying the underlying disease and further combating it. For example, if the cause of destruction is diabetes, then it is necessary to combat it first, then the destruction will normalize as a secondary pathology.

The basis of drug therapy is the use of resorption agents, drugs that improve cerebral circulation. There is no specific treatment aimed directly at restoring destroyed fibrils and preventing destruction.

There are currently a large number of biologically active additives and drugs on the market that can indirectly affect tissue regeneration, including fibrils. You can try using physiotherapeutic methods, folk recipes and homeopathic remedies. Surgical treatment and laser correction are also used.

Is it possible to cure vitreous degeneration?

There are no direct methods aimed at treating destruction. But destruction can and should be treated. Today, treatment includes means aimed at resolving deposits and fibrillar formations inside the eye, as well as reducing the load on the visual analyzer. Etiological therapy is used, aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the destruction. Symptomatic therapy is also used, which allows eliminating the main symptoms of the pathology. These methods allow achieving good results and preventing further development of the pathology. If ineffective, surgical methods or laser correction are used.

Medicines

First of all, I would like to note that there are no specific drugs aimed at treating vitreous destruction. Therefore, at present, any claims that any drug or supplement is aimed at eliminating destruction are false or erroneous. Any drug will have only an indirect effect, this must be remembered. It is important to take precautions - use drugs only as prescribed by a doctor, according to a strictly prescribed scheme. This is due to the fact that the drugs are selected for each case individually, and are based on the results of laboratory and instrumental studies. Numerous side effects are possible, in particular, aggravation of pathology or the occurrence of other diseases of the organ of vision.

To improve cerebral circulation, and as a result, improve blood supply to the brain, use piracetam 0.4 grams 2-3 times a day.

To eliminate hypoxia and normalize metabolic processes in the brain, cinnarizine is used: 25 mg 2-3 times a day.

Mexidol has proven itself well, having a relaxing and antioxidant effect. Eliminates dystrophic and necrotic processes, accelerates the transmission of nerve impulses, promotes the resorption of seals. The drug should be taken with a gradual increase in load from minimal to maximal. Start with 200 mg per day, gradually increase to 600 mg. It is also necessary to finish gradually. In this case, it is necessary to return to the minimum dosage - 200 mg per day.

Mydocalm is used to stabilize the nervous system, normalize metabolic processes and reduce muscle tone. Take one tablet three times a day.

Drops for vitreous destruction

Eye drops are used to treat destructive processes. They can be vitamin and absorbent, aimed at resolving deposits and formations inside the eye. Such drops as oftadex, taufon, ciprofloxacin, levomycetin drops have proven themselves well. Potassium iodide is also used as a strong absorbent. Drops have a local effect. Their use alone will not be enough to eliminate the pathology and alleviate the condition. Therefore, they resort to systemic therapy, taking medications orally.

• Wobenzym

A drug designed to normalize microcirculation in eye tissues. It has a resolving effect, eliminating the inflammatory process and reducing the amount of deposits and neoplasms in the eye. Restores normal blood circulation. It is an enzyme drug that dissolves collagen fibers and their clots. It is used strictly as prescribed by a doctor, in compliance with an individually developed scheme. In this case, the scheme is developed based on the results of laboratory and instrumental studies.

• Emoxipin

The drug is aimed at normalizing microcirculation in the eye tissues. It is classified as a vascular drug. It restores cerebral circulation and normalizes intraocular pressure. It is used strictly as prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the prescribed regimen.

• Taufon

It is an eye drop that stimulates metabolic processes in the cells and tissues of the eye. It contains an active vitamin complex. It is used for minor visual field impairment. More severe impairments require complex therapy, including systemic drugs. Apply 2-3 drops 3-4 times a day.

• Glycine

Glycine is a drug aimed at stimulating activity and normalizing brain function, improving cerebral circulation, maintaining normal blood supply and metabolism. Normalizes the function of the brain and auditory analyzer. Take 2-3 tablets, 3-4 times a day.

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Vitamins

To maintain normal functioning of the visual analyzer, to prevent destructive and dystrophic processes, it is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily concentrations:

• Vitamin H – 150 mcg
• Vitamin PP – 60 mg
• Vitamin C – 500-1000 mg
• Vitamin E – 45 mg.

Physiotherapy treatment

Electrophoresis is used as the main physiotherapeutic procedure. This is a procedure based on the effect of microcurrent on the skin and mucous membranes. Under the influence of microcurrent, medicinal substances quickly penetrate deep into the tissues, penetrate directly into the tissue that needs treatment. This increases the accuracy and direction of the action, reduces the need for the amount of substance. Accordingly, the likelihood of side effects and overdose is reduced. The main drugs are resorbable, vascular, vitamins and enzyme complexes.

Folk remedies

A folk remedy that allows you to quickly eliminate the inflammatory process from the eyes and remove flickering “flies” before your eyes has proven itself well.

To prepare the decoction, you need 25 grams of caraway seeds. Boil for 5 minutes in boiling water. Then do not strain, but add a tablespoon of blue cornflower flowers to the resulting decoction. Remove from heat, leave for an hour, wrapping it in a warm place. After that, strain the decoction and put 1-2 drops in the eyes if you experience discomfort, burning, spots, or decreased vision.

The common toadflax herb has long been used for washing and instilling eyes. To prepare a decoction, take 15 grams of the herb and leave it in boiling water for 8 hours. Drip 2-3 drops three times a day.

A decoction of chamomile is used for washing and rinsing eyes. You can also make compresses when spots and unpleasant sensations appear. To prepare the decoction, take a tablespoon of chamomile, pour a glass of boiling water. Infuse for 30-40 minutes.

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Treatment of vitreous body destruction with egg

In folk medicine, eye destruction is treated with an egg. To carry out the therapeutic effect, it is necessary to boil the egg hard. The yolk is taken out, ground with honey until a homogeneous mass is formed. The white is boiled again. As soon as it becomes moderately hot, we put it on the eyes from above, lie down and lie for 10-15 minutes. After removing the white, we apply a mixture of yolk and honey to the area around the eyes, lie down for another 5-10 minutes. The procedure should be performed daily, at least 5 days in a row. It promotes the resorption of neoplasms and deposits, relieves the inflammatory process.

Herbal treatment

Herbs are actively used to treat various inflammatory and destructive processes, including eye diseases.

A decoction of plantain has proven itself to be effective when spots and circles appear before the eyes. To prepare the decoction, take a tablespoon of the herb and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Infuse for 1-2 hours, use for rinsing the eyes, washing or lotions.

Also use a decoction of knotweed. To prepare, pour 1-2 cups of boiling water over a tablespoon of the herb. Use warm for rinsing and lotions.

A decoction of medicinal mint is used when spots and other unpleasant sensations appear before the eyes. As a local remedy, it is used for lotions, rinsing and eye drops. As a systemic drug, the prepared decoction is taken orally.

To prepare, pour a tablespoon of the herb with two glasses of boiling water. Infuse for 30 minutes. Then divide into two glasses. Drink one glass during the day. It is recommended to drink a third of a glass three times a day. The second glass is used for external use.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are quite effective and cause a minimum of side effects. But despite this, you need to take precautions: take only after prior consultation with a doctor, strictly follow all recommendations and the regimen.

The means aimed at eliminating necrotic, dystrophic and destructive processes in the body tissues have proven themselves well. These are mainly herbal infusions, which have long been used to activate metabolic processes, stimulate regeneration in tissues.

• Recipe No. 1.

To prepare the infusion, mix 15 grams of white cinquefoil with 10 grams of hop cones, pour 500 ml of vodka. Drink 50 grams per day.

• Recipe No. 2.

Take 10 grams of common burnet, mix with 15 grams of elecampane, pour in 500 ml of vodka. Drink 3-4 tablespoons twice a day.

• Recipe No. 3.

Take the herb of the medicinal burnet, the buds of the black poplar in a ratio of 2:1, pour a glass of vodka, leave for a day. Drink 2-3 tablespoons twice a day.

• Recipe No. 4.

Take tincture of meadow geranium and extract of hop cones, mix in a ratio of 2:1, leave for 24 hours. Drink a tablespoon three times a day.

Surgical treatment

The main method of surgical treatment is vitrectomy, a technique aimed at complete or partial removal of the vitreous body. After this, the removed areas are replaced with a special artificial medium. This is a radical method that is used only as a last resort if there are serious indications.

The operation is effective, but it is rarely performed due to high risks. Complications such as hemorrhage into the eye cavity, retinal detachment, cataracts are often observed.

Laser Treatment of Vitreous Destruction

If the destruction is quite severe and does not respond to conservative treatment, surgical methods are used. The main method is vitreolysis, aimed at crushing large collagen fragments. Local anesthesia is used for the operation.

First, the pupils are dilated using short-acting mydriatics, then the necessary manipulations are performed using a laser. The operation is complicated by the high mobility of pathological clusters inside the colloidal gel. However, in general, such operations are quite fast and successful, there are practically no complications after them, and vision does not deteriorate.

Unfortunately, today the operation is not widespread enough. Only a few specialists practice it.

Nutrition for vitreous destruction

During destruction, you need to eat gentle food. It is advisable to use boiled, steamed dishes. It is also important to include in the diet a large number of products containing carotenoids, vitamins A, E, B. Blueberries should be a mandatory product on the table, since berries have a restorative effect on the eyes. You need to eat carrots daily, both fresh and in various salads. Products such as lettuce, spinach, celery, turnips are good for vision. Fatty meat, fried, smoked, spicy dishes, marinades, smoked products should be excluded from the diet.

Prevention

Prevention is based on timely diagnostics. When the first signs of the disease appear, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to undergo preventive examinations in a timely manner, treat identified diseases of other organs, especially vascular pathologies. This is due to the fact that destruction is often a secondary pathology that occurs as a result of a disease of another organ or system.

Avoid fatigue and eye strain. If poor vision occurs, it is necessary to carry out its correction in a quality manner. It is also important to maintain a balanced diet containing the required amount of nutrients and vitamins. It is necessary to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, especially carrots and blueberries.

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Forecast

The prognosis can be favorable with timely treatment, regular preventive examinations. If the destruction of the vitreous body of the eye is under constant control of a specialist, it may not become an obstacle to life. A person adapts to the emerging inconveniences and optical effects, and the quality of his life does not decrease in any way. But in the absence of control, the pathology can develop into a more severe form, severe complications can develop, up to complete loss of vision.

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