Vitreomacular Traction Symptoms and Diagnosis

The most common symptoms of vitreomacular traction (VMT) include:

• distorted vision that makes a grid of straight lines appear wavy, blurry, or blank.
• seeing flashes of light in your vision
• seeing objects as smaller than their actual size

These symptoms can also be a sign of another eye disease. This is why it’s important to see an ophthalmologist for an evaluation when you first notice any of these symptoms.

How is vitreomacular traction diagnosed?

To diagnose VMT, your ophthalmologist needs to look inside your eye. To do this, they may use one or more of these tests:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The OCT is an imaging test that uses light waves to take pictures of each of the retina’s layers. It can help show how damaged the macula may be.

Fluorescein angiography. This imaging test uses a special camera to take photographs of the retina. A small amount of yellow dye (fluorescein) is injected into a vein in your arm. The dye helps your ophthalmologist see how well blood is circulating inside the retina. It also helps find swelling of the macula, which is common in VMT.

Ultrasound scan. This imaging test uses sound waves that gives your ophthalmologist a better view of the sticking point between the vitreous and the macula.

These tests all help find out if you have VMT. They also can tell your doctor what treatment may be needed, if any.