Asteroid hyalosis
Asteroid hyalosis may also be referred to by its former name, asteroid hyalitis.
Asteroid hyalosis is a degenerative condition (i.e. involving the deterioration and loss of specialized function of the cells of a tissue or organ) in which very small deposits of calcium are suspended in the vitreous humour of the eye.
This age-related condition is known to affect dogs as well as humans. Asteroid hyalosis does not usually severely affect vision but the floating particles can be irritating to those affected. Treatment is not usually necessary but vitrectomy (removal of part or all of the vitreous humour) may be suggested in some cases - for both diagnostic or therapeutic reasons.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system
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