Have you ever seen 'worms' floating in your eyes? These are what those spots are.

Sometimes people see worm-like shapes in their eyes, which aren't entirely clear, but are clearly there. Well, this is something called the vitreous humor.

The vitreous humor, also known as the vitreous body, is a transparent, gelatinous substance that occupies the space between the lens and the retina in the human eye, which is why we can see. See more: Things we do in public restrooms out of disgust, but that wouldn't really help.

This substance constitutes about two-thirds of the total volume of the eye and is contained in a structure called the vitreous chamber. It is composed primarily of water (99%), but also includes type II collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid, and proteins, which give it its gelatinous properties and characteristic transparency, according to the Forrester publication entitled "The Eye: Basic Science in Practice."

See more: Do you know people who are just too nice? There’s a syndrome that makes them that way As we age, changes occur in the consistency of the vitreous humor, a process called vitreous syneresis. This phenomenon involves the formation of watery spaces and partial liquefaction of the vitreous gel , which can lead to visual phenomena such as myodesopsias or 'floaters', as indicated in the publication Anomalous Posterior Vitreous Detachment: A Unifying Concept in Vitreoretinal Disease , from the Graefe Archive of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.

Its function

The vitreous humor has several essential functions from a physiological standpoint. Its gelatinous structure helps maintain the spherical shape of the eyeball, provides mechanical support to the retina, and cushions vibrations that could damage it, according to Adler's article "Physiology of the Eye." Furthermore, its transparency allows light to pass through to the retina, which is crucial for clear vision. It also acts as a reservoir of nutrients and maintains a stable chemical environment in the posterior chamber of the eye. See more: Two Colombian restaurants are among the 100 best in the world, according to The 50 Best. The vitreous humor is a relevant component in ocular pathologies because it is in direct contact with the retina and other internal ocular structures.

Posterior vitreous detachment, another common age-related physiological change, is the partial or complete separation of the vitreous humor from the retina . Although this detachment is usually benign, according to the American Journal of Ophthalmology, in some cases it can cause traction on the retina and lead to complications, such as retinal tears or detachment, which may require surgical treatment.

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These alterations illustrate the clinical importance of the vitreous humor and the need for adequate follow-up in patients with related visual symptoms.

Currently, according to the American Journal of Ophthalmology, several investigations are underway into new techniques for the management of vitreous pathologies , such as minimally invasive vitrectomies and the development of synthetic vitreous substitutes.

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These strategies allow for vitreous humor replacement in situations where it is necessary to remove it, improving visual prognosis and reducing surgical risks.

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