What Does a Retina Specialist Treat?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It primarily affects the macula—the central area of the retina responsible for clear, sharp vision.

There are two types of AMD:

• Dry AMD: This form involves a gradual thinning of the macula, leading to slow and progressive loss of central vision. Although changes occur over time, regular monitoring and lifestyle adjustments may help slow its progress.
• Wet AMD: In this more aggressive form, abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina. These vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing rapid and serious vision changes. Our retina specialists offer anti-VEGF injections among other treatments to stabilize or improve vision in patients with wet AMD.

Early detection is key when it comes to AMD. Routine eye exams can help in catching the problem before significant damage occurs, allowing our retina specialists to implement a strategic care plan that may include lifestyle advice and medical interventions.

Diabetic retinopathy and its related complication, diabetic macular edema (DME), are common conditions among patients with diabetes. High blood sugar over time can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to various complications.

• Diabetic Retinopathy involves damage to the retinal blood vessels, which may leak, swell, or even close off. As the condition progresses, it can cause inflammation and bleeding in the retina, posing a risk to your vision.
• Diabetic Macular Edema occurs when fluid builds up in the macula, the central portion of the retina. This accumulation can cause blurred or distorted vision, making day-to-day activities challenging.

Treatment options for these conditions are diverse, ranging from laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections to corticosteroid implants. Maintaining good blood sugar control is also a critical component of managing these conditions. If you have diabetes, regular check-ups with a retina specialist can help catch these issues before they lead to irreversible damage.

A retinal detachment is one of the most urgent conditions that our retina specialists treat. It happens when the retina pulls away from its normal position, cutting off its blood supply and risking permanent vision loss if not addressed immediately.

Patients experiencing retinal detachment may notice symptoms such as:

• Flashes of light
• A sudden increase in floaters
• A shadow or curtain-like effect across part of the visual field

Retinal tears, while sometimes less severe initially, can lead to detachment if not treated promptly. Treatment methods vary from less invasive laser or cryotherapy procedures for small tears to surgical interventions like vitrectomy, scleral buckle surgery, or pneumatic retinopexy when the detachment is more extensive.

Given the rapid pace at which retinal detachment can affect vision, any sudden changes or symptoms should prompt a call to our office without delay. Early surgical intervention is often the difference between preserving and losing valuable sight.

Both macular holes and macular puckers involve the macula, the part of the retina critical for central vision. These conditions can cause a distortion or blurring in the central field of vision that directly impacts everyday activities.

• A macular hole is a small break or defect in the macula. The presence of a hole can cause images to appear blurry or distorted, making tasks like reading or recognizing faces increasingly difficult.
• Macular puckers occur when a layer of scar tissue forms on the macula, causing it to wrinkle. Patients may notice that their vision appears wavy or irregular as a result.

For milder cases of these conditions, our retina specialists might recommend a period of observation to monitor changes. However, if the vision distortion worsens, a vitrectomy surgery may be advised to remove the scar tissue or to seal the macular hole, thereby restoring more normal vision