Retina

first visit, services

Services

Many diseases involve the retina, from localized disorders to manifestations of systemic diseases, such as diabetes. We specialize in the medical and surgical management of all types of vitreo-retinal diseases, including:

• Retinal tears and detachments
• Diabetic retinopathy
  
• Macular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration
  
• Retinal-vascular diseases
  
• Ocular trauma
  
• Intraocular tumors
  
• Uveitis (inflammation)
  
• Systemic diseases with retinal manifestations

Common reasons why patients visit a retina specialist:

Floaters and Flashes - Small particles consisting of cells or pigment that move in the vitreous. They can be in the shape of dots or spider webs, even hair-like. Floaters may be symptoms of inflammation in the eye, bleeding in the eye and a vitreous or retina detachment. Flashing in the eye may be of different intensity, as well as size and shape. With these symptoms a patient should see a retina specialist urgently.

Retinal Detachment - The retina can detach from the back of the eye, leading to rapid visual loss. This is often seen as a curtain clouding part of the vision.

Diabetic and Hypertensive Retinopathy - Both diseases (when not controlled properly) may cause damage to the smallest blood vessels in the brain, kidneys and heart, as well as the eyes. Various studies have proven that early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy prevents further loss of vision.

Uveitis - Inflammation of the uveal tract which is the vascular coat of the eyeball. Some of the symptoms include the following: light sensitivity, blurred vision, pain, floaters, and redness in the eye. There are many reasons why one may develop uveitis. Some of the causes include:

• a viral infection, such as shingles, mumps, or herpes simplex;
  
• a fungus, such as histoplasmosis;
  
• a parasite, such as toxoplasmosis;
  
• related disease in other parts of the body, such as gastrointestinal disease (Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease) arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic), vascular disease;
  
• a result from an injury to an eye.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) - This disease affects the central (reading) visions by damaging the retina. There are two forms of ARMD. The dry form is an age related change beneath the retina that can cause slow loss of vision. The wet form is a more severe form of the disease that involves new blood vessel growth beneath the retina, resulting in bleeding and swelling in the retina and visual distortion and impairment. We offer treatment of wet ARMD with intravitreal injection of the most advanced pharmacologic agents, and dry ARMD with vitamin therapy approved by the National Institutes of Health.

Retinal Vein Occlusion - The blood vessels of the retina can become occluded. Treatment for these problems is possible with laser or medical therapy.

Sudden Vision Loss - Can occur due to a number of retinal diseases, including retinal detachment, retinal blood vessel occlusion or bleeding within the eye. Other causes of sudden visual loss include stroke, acute glaucoma and inflammation of the optic nerve.

Other Retinal Disease - These include macular hole, macular pucker, hypertensive retinopathy, cystoid macular edema, ocular tumors and inherited retinal degenerations.

Glaucoma - Optic nerve damage caused by high intraocular pressure. Early detection and treatment can help prevent blindness.

Office Procedures

Using state-of-the-art technology and advanced surgical techniques, we can treat many retinal diseases in our St. James Ambulatory Center. The following procedures require no incision:

• Retinal laser photocoagulation
  
• Intravitreal injections
  
• Pneumatic retinopexy
  
• Electroretinography

Hospital Procedures

Some surgical procedures do require the specialized equipment available only in the operating room. Surgical cases are typically performed on an outpatient basis.

Diagnostic Tests Performed in our Offices:

Visual Field Test - This test evaluates the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focuses on a central point.

Fluorescein Angiography - A rapid sequence of photographs are taken by a high-resolution camera and analyzed by a computer to document the blood circulation of the retina/choroids.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) - Measures the thickness of the retina at the micron level. This is useful in evaluating age-related macular edema, cystoid macular edema, diabetic macular edema, macular traction syndrome, macular hole, surface wrinkling retinopathy and glaucoma.

Ocular Ultrasound - Ultrasound views the retina by sound reflection. It is useful in the presence of vitreous hemorrhage, dense cataract or possible tumor.

Electroretinography (ERG) - Measures the responses of cells within the transmission system from the retina to the brain. This study can identify genetic defects, drug effects, macula specific disease and light adaptive states.

Glasses Prescriptions and Contact Lenses

Links

The following are links to sites you may find useful:

American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Society of Retina Specialists
International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision
American Academy of Optometry