Mild floaters (mobile, blurry shadows that obscure the vision) in the vision are normal, but a sudden increase in floaters is often the first symptom of posterior vitreous detachment.
During PVD, floaters are often accompanied by flashes, which are most noticeable in dark surroundings. The majority of patients experience these floaters and flashes during the first few weeks of a PVD, however, in some cases, the symptoms are hardly noticeable. If PVD is complicated by vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, or macular hole, the flashes and floaters may be accompanied by increased or distorted vision. Floaters are most bothersome when near the centre of vision and less annoying when they settle at the side of vision. They sometimes appear like cobwebs, dust, or a swarm of insects – or in the shape of a circle or an oval, called a Weiss ring.
These symptoms usually become less intense over several weeks. Most patients experience PVD after the age of 60, once in each eye, and the condition is usually non-sight threatening but can occasionally affect vision more permanently in the event of complications, such as retinal detachment or epiretinal membrane.