Retina Disease Treatment and Surgery

We treat a variety of retina diseases and perform all major retinal surgeries. These surgeries may involve lasers and/or incisions. In addition we also treat / perform surgery for diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, retinal detachments, retinal holes and tears, macular degeneration, retinal membranes, infections, hereditary conditions and optic nerve diseases.

How The Eye Works

The human eye is like a camera where outside images are focused onto a piece of film

• The cornea and crystalline lens are the lenses that focus the picture onto the eye's film, the retina.
• The iris is the colored circle in the front of the eye.
• The black , in the center of the iris, enlarges and contracts to regulate the amount of light entering the eye.
• The vitreous is a transparent jelly filling the inside of the eye.
• The choroid is a system of blood vessels which covers the outer retinal surface, providing it with oxygen and nourishment.
• The sclera, or white of the eye, is a tough protective outer shell that corresponds to the body of a camera.
• The optic nerve carries the light images to the brain.
• The retina is a very thin layer of tissue that lines the inner part of the back of the eye and is continuous with the optic nerve. It contains photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), which capture the light rays that enter the eye. These light impulses are then sent to the brain for processing via the optic nerve.

The macula is a specialized area of the retina that allows us to see detailed, central vision. This makes it possible for us to read, watch television, and recognize faces. The retina reacts to light through a chemical process which then sends nerve impulses directly to the brain where the "picture" is processed.

Unlike a camera, the image obtained by the retina is not of uniform clarity or sharpness. Only the macula is sensitive enough to provide high quality central vision. Any disease that affects the macula, such as diabetes, macular degeneration, macular hole, macular pucker, ocular histoplasmosis, retinal detachment, or retinal vein occlusions can cause symptoms such as central blurriness or distortion.

Vitreous and Retina Problems

The following are some major and common vitreous and retina problems:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: This is a serious problem that affects Diabetics. Early signs include blurred vision, floaters, and sudden or progressive vision loss.
• Macular Degeneration: A condition of the macula, the part of the retina that allows us to see objects with great detail. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in the U.S. for people 50 and older.
• Retinal Detachment: This condition occurs when the retina’s sensory and pigment layers separate. If left untreated, it can be extremely detrimental to vision.
• Macular Holes: Usually a result of the normal aging process, a macular hole can cause wavy, distorted, or blurred vision. In some cases, it can even cause a complete loss of central vision.