Tips from 'The Italian Ophthalmologist' to prevent the disorder that impacts on mood and quality of life
As annoying as insects, 'flying flies' manifest themselves as dots, filaments, spots of various shapes and sizes floating in the field of vision. They can also be accompanied by flashes of light, which appear and disappear for weeks or months.
Due to visual difficulties, especially when reading, patients consider the problem highly disabling, to the point of reporting an impact even on their mood and quality of life, as explained in the recently published sixth episode of 'Ascolta e vedrai', the podcast of 'L'Oculista italiano' to promote and support visual wellbeing and learn how to know and protect our eyes.
Technically referred to as 'myodesopias', 'flying flies' - the podcast's protagonists explain - should not be underestimated, and require the prompt advice of an ophthalmologist, when they occur suddenly and accompanied by flashes of light because they could indicate serious eye problems, such as retinal tears, retinal detachment or vitreous detachment. During the examination, it is also discovered that these dark spots are due to the accumulation of collagen fibres or deposits that form inside the vitreous body, the transparent gel that occupies the inner part of the eyeball. Due to the constant movements of the eye, these accumulations of fibres move frequently and what is perceived is the shadow that these fibres cast on the retina.
Myodesopias typically occur after the age of 50, due to an age-related process of degeneration of the vitreous, in particular dehydration of the vitreous gel, but the process can be greatly accelerated by trauma or high myopia.
Among the advice given by the narrator to prevent this visual disorder is to increase hydration: drinking plenty of water, in fact, promotes the re-expansion of the vitreous mass and reduces the movement of fibrils, allowing a net decrease in the perception of mobile bodies, with a consistent improvement in eyesight. In addition to consuming fruit and vegetables, rich in antioxidants that counteract the ageing process, and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, without protective goggles, because UV rays accelerate the process of degeneration of the vitreous body fibres, the podcast also informs on specific foods to slow down and counteract vitreous body degeneration.
One more reason to listen to the latest episode entitled 'Flying Flies and Vitreous Degeneration' just published in 'Ascolta e vedrai' the podcast of the Italian Oculist present on the platforms - Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker - and on oculistaitaliano.itwhere you can also find other insights and updates. The next episode will be dedicated to 'Sustainability and Eye Health'.
To listen to all the podcasts already published, go to the dedicated section 'Listen and you will see'
English 
Italian