Researchers in Japan have found that the stage of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) progressed significantly in association with the age group in both male and female eyes. However, PVD progression occurs significantly faster in female eyes than in male eyes at 60 years of age or older.

The study evaluated 100 eyes of 100 male patients and 100 eyes of 100 female patients in four age groups: 40 to 49 years of age, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70 or older. Researchers used swept-source optical coherence tomography  to determine whether there were sex-related differences regarding the age at which PVD progression occurs.

The frequency of vitreofoveal separation and complete PVD was 76% in the female eyes and 55% in the male eyes at 60 and 93% in the female eyes and 78% in the male eyes at 70 or older. The distribution of the PVD stage did not differ significantly between men and women in the 40 to 49 and the 50 to 59 age groups.

Researchers believe these findings suggest that idiopathic macular holes or other retinal pathologic features may occur more frequently in the eyes of women during their lifetimes. They conclude that practitioners should pay special attention to the state of the posterior vitreous in female patients, especially in those with an initial stage of idiopathic macular holes and vitreoretinal traction syndrome.