Time course of development of posterior vitreous detachment in the fellow eye after development in the first eye

Purpose: To determine when posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) develops in the fellow eye after development in the first eye. Design: Prospective, observational case series. Participants: Fifty-one patients with acute unilateral PVD participated in the study. Methods: All patients underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, including a dynamic vitreous examination using biomicroscopy with and without a preset lens and retinal examination with scleral depression, every 3 months at least until PVD developed in the fellow eye. Results: Posterior vitreous detachment developed in 4 eyes (8%) within 6 months, 12 eyes (24%) within 1 year, 24 eyes (47%) within 18 months, 33 eyes (65%) within 2 years, 41 eyes (80%) within 30 months, and 46 eyes (90%) within 3 years. In 5 eyes (110%), PVD did not develop during the follow-up period of more than 3 years. Conclusions: Posterior vitreous detachment develops frequently in the fellow eye from 6 months to 2 years after development in the first. These findings are useful for the management of patients with unilateral PVD. (C) 2004 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.