The vitreous humor is the gel-like liquid that fills your eye. It's full of tiny fibers that attach to your retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye).

As you age, the fibers of your vitreous humor pull away from the retina. This is called vitreous detachment. It usually happens after the age of 50. You may not notice when your vitreous humor comes loose - or you may notice symptoms affecting your vision.

If you notice any symptoms of vitreous detachment, contact your eye doctor.

The most common symptom of vitreous detachment is a sudden increase infloaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that float over your vision). When your vitreous humor becomes detached, strands of the vitreous humor often cast new shadows on your retina - and those shadows appear as floaters.

You may also notice flashes of light in your side (peripheral) vision.

Sometimes vitreous detachment causes more serious eye problems that need to be treated right away. The only way to find out if the vitreous detachment has caused a serious eye problem is to have an enlarged eye exam. So if you notice any symptoms of vitreous detachment, it is important to see your eye doctor immediately.

If your vitreous detachment isn't causing a serious eye problem, you probably won't notice any more symptoms after a few months.

Vitreous detachment can sometimes lead to more serious eye conditions:

• Retinal tear. Sometimes the glass fibers tear a hole in the retina when they pull away. If you are not treated quickly, it can lead to retinal detachment.
• Retinal detachment. Sometimes the release of the vitreous humor pulls the entire retina away from its normal position at the back of the eye. This could be a medical emergency. Read more about retinal detachment .
• Macular hole. Sometimes the release of the vitreous humor tears a hole in the macula (the part of the retina that controls your central vision). This can happen before or after the vitreous humor has loosened enough to cause floaters or flashes of light. More information about macular hole .
• Macula folds . Sometimes detachment of the vitreous humor causes a thin layer of scar tissue over the macula. This usually occurs slowly in the months or years after the vitreous detachment.Read more about macular folds .

These conditions can cause vision loss, but treatment can help preserve your vision. Tell your eye doctor right away if you notice any symptoms of vitreous detachment so they can check for these more serious problems.

If you're 50 or older, you're at risk for vitreous detachment - and your risk increases as you get older. Vitreous detachment is very common in people over 80 years old. You are also at greater risk if you are nearsighted.

aIf you have a vitreous detachment in one eye, you have a greater risk of getting it in the other eye.

Ophthalmologists can check for vitreous detachment as part of a dilated eye exam. Your doctor will give you some eye drops to widen (dilate) your pupil and then check your eyes for vitreous detachment and other eye problems.

This examination is usually painless. The doctor may press on your eyelids to check for retinal tears, which can be uncomfortable for some people.

If your vitreous detachment isn't causing more serious eye disease, you probably don't need treatment. If your vitreous detachment is causing a serious condition, such as a retinal tear, you may need treatment for that condition.

If your floaters are still bothering you after a few months and make it difficult to see clearly, your eye doctor may suggest surgery called a vitrectomy to remove them. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this surgery.