Retina

Retina

The retina is a delicate tissue lining the back of the eye which acts as the “film that takes the picture” before relaying it to the brain via the optic nerve. Common retinal disorders include:

• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal detachment
• Vascular obstructions, blocked blood vessels, etc.

If diagnosed before the center of the macula is involved, an appropriate combination of laser therapy and vitreo-retinal microsurgery can restore vision or prevent severe loss of vision.

Retinal Co-Management

Chronic retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, require multiple office visits over many years. For this reason, patients with these diseases are particularly good candidates for co-management. Most follow-up visits can be provided by your local Doctor of Optometry with occasional visits to the retinal subspecialist as needed.

Retinal Surgery

If retinal problems are diagnosed prior to the center of the macula becoming involved, the following laser and/or vitreoretinal micro-surgeries can restore vision or prevent severe loss of vision.

Laser (Diabetic Retinopathy): The argon laser is effective in treating diabetic retinopathy. The diabetic eye has poor circulation and responds by trying to grow new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these vessels bleed easily and can lead to severe visual loss. Treating the back of the eye with the argon laser can prevent the growth of these blood vessels. In special situations, there are no new vessels, but existing vessels leak and leave fluid (edema) and residue (exudate) which can interfere with vision, sometimes permanently. The argon laser “spot-welds” these leaks closed and helps to make the fluid go away.

Laser (Macular Degeneration): The argon laser can also be very effective in treating macular degeneration. Sometimes “aging spots” in the retina are associated with a cluster of blood vessels which can grow underneath the retina and cause irreversible visual loss. These blood vessels, or subretinal neovascular membranes, can be associated with other eye diseases, such as histoplasmosis. If detected early enough they can be destroyed by the laser, thus preventing severe visual loss.

Retinal Detachment: This operative procedure may include vitrectomy, scleral buckling (explants), and/or gas fluid exchange. After the retina is reattached, it is bonded in place by freezing (cryopexy) or lasering (retinopexy) the retinal tissue. The purpose of this “spot welding” is to prevent future detachments.

Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy is the surgical removal of the vitreous gel of the eye, usually for clearing the visual axis or releasing traction that the vitreous exerts on the retina. The procedure is performed in the operating room.