When Should I Visit a Retina Specialist?
Your ophthalmologist or optometrist can observe your vision, prescribe glasses, contact lenses, diagnose, treat and prevent several eye diseases. However, your eye doctors may refer you to a retina specialist for care in case of some serious eye conditions.
What Is A Retina Specialist?
Retina specialists are highly trained doctors who complete medical school and specialized training in ophthalmology, as well as vitreoretinal training. This includes:
- Medical school — 4 years
- Internship — 1 year
- Ophthalmology residency — 3 years
- Retina-Vitreous fellowship — 1 or 2 years
What Is The Retina?
The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back wall of the inside of your eye. The retina sensor light and sends signals to the brain so that you can view any object.
What Is The Vitreous?
The vitreous body is that part of the human eye that fills the space between the eye’s lens and retina.
Common Conditions and Diseases Treated by Retina Specialists
Retinal specialists take care of a variety of complicated eye conditions. Take a look at some of the most common diseases and issues treated by retina specialist include:
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration considered to be one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults over 50. In this eye condition the macula that is center portion of retina gets damaged. This macula is responsible for detailed vision tasks.
Types of AMD:
Dry AMD: This type of AMD is common form of AMD among people over 50. People who suffer from dry AMD can undergo problem of blurred or reduced central vision.
Wet AMD: This form of AMD is chronic eye disorder that causes blurred vision or a blind spot in your visual field. This can take place due to the abnormal blood vessels that leak fluid or blood into the macula.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects eyes and it has become the overall leading cause of blindness in the United States. It is important for all diabetics to go for an annual comprehensive eye exam with their ophthalmologist or optometrist so that diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed. Due to high blood sugar levels there is damage of blood vessels in the retina, causing them to swell, leak, or close, which prevents blood from circulating properly in the eye. In some cases, abnormal blood vessels also grow on the retina.
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
Non-Proliferative (NPDR)
The early stage is called non-proliferative (NPDR) in which symptoms will be mild or nonexistent. In this form of diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels in the retina are weekend.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
It is more advanced form of the diabetic retinopathy. In this form, circulatory issues deprive the retina of oxygen. As a result, new fragile blood vessels may start to develop in the retina and in the vitreous, the gel like fluid that fills the back of the eye.
Retinal Tears or Detachment
As we get older, your eye’s vitreous can shrink or change shape which doesn’t typically cause damage. If you are nearsighted or experience inflammation then it can pull away from the retina. If the vitreous draws a piece of the retina with it, it causes a tear to the retina. If the vitreous continues to shoot, the tear may cause the retina to detach from the rear of the eye, resulting in blurred vision, resulting in blurry vision. If retinal detachment not gets timely treatment then it can lead to blindness. At windy city retina, our own retina specialists Dr. Ankit Desai treat retinal tears with laser treatment (photocoagulation) or a freezing treatment (cryotherapy). They also perform surgery to repair retinal detachments.
Macular hole or pucker
Both macular hole and macular pucker cause reduction of your central vision. As the gel-like fluid separates from the retina due to age or injury, it can pull on the macula. Over time, this may lead to the creation of a macular hole. Using macular pucker, a clear membrane consisting of a layer of cells covers the surface of the macula and then shrinks, causing lines or folds in the retina. There is surgery called vitrectomy performed by Retina specialist to treat both macular holes and macular puckers.
Penetrating ocular trauma
Injuries that penetrate the eye — typically through sharp or high-velocity objects that strike the eye — can cause serious vision loss. Retinal specialists are trained in detailed surgical procedures for stabilizing and repairing these types of injuries.
Surgery or Procedures Performed by Retina Specialists
Retina specialist Oswego perform intravitreal injections for treatment of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion. They are able to perform lasers for tears or detachment of the retina. They perform vitrectomy surgery on a wide range of eye conditions, including:
· Eye Floaters
· Retinal Detachment
· Macular Hole
· Epiretinal Membrane (ERM)
· Posterior Vitreous Detachment
· Intraocular Bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) from Diabetic Retinopathy or Macular Degeneration
