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Retina

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is a common cause of vision loss in people over 60. It rarely causes total blindness but can make normal activities difficult to perform.

What is AMD? It is the deterioration of a tiny part of the retina called the macula. AMD can be "dry" and "wet." Dry AMD is more common and less severe. In wet AMD, blood vessels under the macula leak and cause it to become uneven. Vision becomes distorted and blurred.

How is AMD detected? You'll probably be asked to look at an Amsler Grid with its pattern of straight lines (although they may appear wavy to someone with AMD) and to have a test where special dyes are injected into an arm vein. Photographs are taken as the dye travels in blood vessels under the retina. This helps the doctor detect and treat leaky vessels. The doctor also looks for yellow material in the retina, called drusen, which can be an early sign of AMD.

Is there treatment for Macular Degeneration? Definitely, especially for wet macular degeneration. The goal is to stop the formation and leakage of new blood vessels. Newer and better laser, surgical and drug treatments are constantly being developed.

What if I’ve already lost vision to AMD? In certain cases, some vision can be restored and in other situations, further loss of vision can be reduced.

Retinal Detachment

The retina normally lies flat against the back, inside wall of the eye. A detached retina must be reattached to prevent loss of vision.

What causes retinal detachment? The most common cause of retinal detachment is normal retraction of the vitreous gel (the gel-like substance filling the eye) as we age. Rarely, this can tear the retina, which will allow fluid to creep beneath it. The fluid causes retina to separate from the back wall. A tear in the retina does not necessarily lead to retinal detachment.

Who is most likely to get a retinal detachment? You are most vulnerable if you are older than 50, nearsighted, have a family history of retinal detachment, or have had an eye injury.

What are the symptoms? Most people report seeing flashes of light and floaters. Another common symptom is the appearance of what is often described as a dark curtain floating across the visual field.

How is a detached retina repaired? A retinal detachment is treated surgically, in an out-patient facility or hospital. The two most common methods of treatment are scleral buckling and vitrectomy. Another technique is called pneumatic retinopexy. It uses a gas bubble in the eye to hold the treated tear in place. All three surgical procedures use cryotherapy (freezing) or laser to seal the retinal tear.

Diabetic Retinopathy

It is estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States are affected by diabetes and that almost one third are not aware of their disease. It is important to recognize that diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals 20-74 years of age and that modern techniques of diagnosis and treatment would allow a majority to avoid this serious complication. Unfortunately, the diabetic eye problem often goes undiagnosed and untreated, in large part due to the fact that when the problem can be most effectively diagnosed and treated, it is without symptoms and only becomes apparent when vision is affected. Early detection is most important as treatment is most beneficial in preserving vision rather than in an effort to recover vision already lost.

The risk of developing diabetic eye complications of the retina (diabetic retinopathy) is influenced by a number of factors. The better the blood glucose control, the less chance of diabetic retinopathy appearing or progressing. Maintaining a blood pressure no higher than 130/80 reduces the risk by 1/3. Control of blood lipid (cholesterol) levels significantly lowers eye complications. While current treatment methods are highly effective, and newer treatments are being evaluated and appear to be promising, the most important element in protecting vision is regular examination at intervals based on the presence and degree of diabetic change in the eye.