Retina

Retina care at Garland Eye Associates

The retina lines the back wall of the inside of the eye, and it senses light and sends signals to the brain so you can see. The vitreous is the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and the retina of the eye. Both play a vital role in your vision.

We see patients with a wide variety of retinal conditions and diseases, and here is some information about some of them:

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Diabetes damages the body’s normal circulation which is why people with diabetes may have problems with circulation to their legs, kidneys, heart, brain, and eyes. At least 50 percent of all diabetics will develop diabetic retinopathy.

In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can swell or leak, or they can close, preventing blood from circulating through them. In some cases, abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. All of these changes can cause loss of vision.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there are usually no symptoms. Therefore, it is very important that all patients with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year before any symptoms develop. During this exam, your eye specialist can check for any signs of damage to the retina and optic nerve, including leaking blood vessels, swelling of the macula, and growth of new vessels. To help prevent the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy, patients are urged to control their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

As diabetic retinopathy progresses, symptoms may include:

Protecting your vision if you have diabetes

Fortunately, new medicines or laser treatments have decreased blindness among diabetics and have increased the possibility of retaining and improving vision. Our physicians will utilize advanced technology and examination techniques to determine and provide the treatment that is most effective.

It is critical for all diabetics to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year to evaluate for the presence of retinopathy. Patients should remember that macular edema and proliferative retinopathy can develop without symptoms. Patients with visual symptoms and/or visual loss, at any stage of the disease, should be evaluated without delay to find out the cause of the visual change. Early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss and/or improve vision.

All diabetics should also work to lower their vascular risk factors. Important advice includes:

Flashes and Floaters

The sudden onset of floaters or flashes can be an important warning signal of impending retinal problems. A small percentage of people who develop the abrupt onset of prominent floaters or light flashes in an eye will be found to have a retinal tear or detachment.

The majority of people who experience floaters or light flashes do not develop serious retinal problems. In most instances, the floaters and flashes gradually subside over a period of time with no permanent alteration in vision. However because flashes and floaters can be an important warning of a retinal tear or retinal detachment, their sudden appearance is of sufficient concern to warrant prompt careful evaluation by your ophthalmologist. In addition, call your ophthalmologist right away if you notice:

Retinal Vein Occlusion

A retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins of the retina becomes blocked and cannot drain blood from the retina normally. This blockage leads to a backup of blood and fluid into the retina and can be seen in the retina as bleeding and swelling. The amount of swelling in the retina varies and depends on the degree of blockage of the retinal vein.

Symptoms of a retinal vein occlusion can vary based on the severity of the blockage in the vein and amount of swelling in the retina. It typically occurs in just one eye, and common symptoms include:

Retinal vein occlusion risk factors

Lowering your risk

To lower your risk, you should do the following:

Diagnosis & treatment

Your doctor can diagnose a CRVO or BRVO when examining your eyes and performing diagnostic testing.

There is no cure for a vein occlusion. However, there is effective treatment that can improve vision and help prevent worsening. The main reason for decreased vision from a retinal vein occlusion is swelling in the central part of the retina called macular edema. Treatment for macular edema includes injections with medicines that decrease blood vessel leakage (Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea) and occasionally laser is helpful.