The vitreous humor is a transparent jelly-like substance between the lens and retina of the eye. It gives rigidity to the spherical form of the eye and allows light to pass through to the retina.

A vitreous humor detachment occurs when the vitreous slowly shrinks and the fine fibers, which attach the vitreous to the retina, pull on the retinal surface. It is common and usually affects people 50 or over and is most common in people after 80. It is also more likely to occur if a person is nearsighted. One symptom of a detachment is a small increase in floaters. In most cases you will either not notice the detachment or it will be annoying because of the floaters. Vitreous detachment does not usually threaten eyesight, however some of the fibers my pull too hard on the retina and can cause a retinal tear or detachment. If you...