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Retinal Detachment: Definition, Symptoms, and Treatment

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A retinal detachment refers to a separation of the retina – the light-sensitive membrane in the back of the eye – from its supporting layers. This serious medical condition is typically caused by trauma, diabetes or an inflammatory disorder.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

•           Flashes of light (Especially in peripheral vision)

•           Blurred/blurry vision

•           Floaters in the eye. Also referred to as shadows or spots

•           Blindness in a portion of the visual field

The sudden and dramatic appearance of these symptoms is a strong indication that the retina is either tearing or detaching. If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Treatment of Retinal Detachment

Most cases of retinal detachment require one of the following surgeries.

•           Freezing (cryopexy): The application of intense cold to the area with an ice probe to form a scar, which holds the retina in place.

•           Laser Surgery (photocoagulation): This is used to seal the tears or holes in the retina.

•           Pneumatic Retinopexy: The placing of a gas bubble in the eye to help the retina float back into place. Then a laser is used to fix the retina in place.

More extensive cases require more invasive procedures, including:

•           Scleral Buckle: This is done to indent the wall of the eye, relieving the tugging of the vitreous on the retina.

•           Vitrectomy: This is done to remove gel or scar tissue that may be pulling on the retina.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about your various treatment options, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

Led by Dr. Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Sources:

Retinal Detachment

Glaucoma: An Overview from Dr. Nathan Frank

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According to a survey conducted in 2002 by Prevent Blindness America, 30 percent of Americans have never heard of
glaucoma and only half of those participating in the survey actually knew what it was. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, and specialists believe that roughly 2.2 million people in America are affected. Only half of these individuals know that they have the disease. Given that January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, this is a great time to review the condition so that you, as patients, can become better informed and more knowledgeable.

Glaucoma is a multi-factorial disease that causes damage to the optic nerve that eventually leads to vision loss. Peripheral (side) vision loss occurs due to damage of the optic nerve of eye, which is similar to a fiber optics cable with about 1.2 million fibers that send images from the eye to the brain. There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open angle glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma. Both are usually marked by increased eye pressure inside the eye, but differ in the anatomical structure of the drainage system of the eye.

Risk factors for glaucoma? Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, newborn babies and senior citizens alike. However, there are several groups of people with an increased risk of developing the disease. Risk is heightened by:

  • Race (African Americans, Asians and Hispanics)
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Steroid Use
  • Age (People over 60)
  • History of eye trauma
  • Family History of glaucoma
  • High near-sighted patients

What are the common symptoms of glaucoma? The majority of people that have glaucoma are without symptoms. The visual symptoms that do occur tend to occur later in the disease process.

How to diagnose glaucoma? A comprehensive eye evaluation is imperative to rule out any suspicion for glaucoma. There are several important factors that need to be assessed prior to making a diagnosis. These include: measurement of eye pressure (normal range 12-22), a close assessment of the optic nerve, a peripheral visual field measurement, an exam of the drainage system of the eye, and finally a measurement of the cornea of the eye. These measurements are repeated once or twice a year or more often if there is any concern about progression.

How is glaucoma treated? The best way to protect your vision if diagnosed with glaucoma is to continue care
with your eye care provider. The goal of treatment is to lower the intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. When diagnosed with glaucoma, the first line of treatment usually starts with the use of a single eye drop that is instilled once a night. If further pressure lowering is needed, additional drops can be used. Further treatment options include laser therapy or, if necessary, surgical treatment.

Glaucoma is a very complicated disease and this is only a brief overview. Some questions may still remain; a great
resource for information is glaucoma.org, a website that is constantly updated with information for those with glaucoma and for those who may know others with glaucoma.

If you have any further questions and would like to learn more about Glaucoma Detection and Treatment, please Dr. Frank and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Cast your vote now for Anne Arundel Eye Center, Dr. Samuel Boles and Dr. Frank in Chesapeake Family Magazine’s Favorite Docs 2012! Voting ends on March 15th.

Dr. Boles and everyone else at the Anne Arundel Eye Center proudly support the efforts of The Polakoff Foundation and their role in the ongoing fight against glaucoma. Click here to purchase tickets online for the Polakoff Foundation’s Mardi Gras Celebration to help raise money to aid the fight against blindness.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Symptoms and Treatment

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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age or older. Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents have advanced AMD with associated vision loss. That number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

AMD is an eye disease that affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for sharp, central vision. As a result, AMD can make it difficult to perform every day tasks, such as reading and driving.

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

  • Gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
  • Objects appear distorted in shape. Straight lines look wavy or crooked.
  • Loss of clear color vision
  • A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision.

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

AMD can advance so slowly that individuals initially notice little change in their vision. Other times, AMD progresses more rapidly and may even lead to vision loss in both eyes. This is why regular eye exams are so important. They can help detect the eye disease before it causes significant vision loss.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment

There are two types of AMD, “dry” macular degeneration and the less common “wet” macular degeneration.

Dry AMD: With this form of AMD, the tissue of the macula gradually becomes thinner and stops functioning properly. There is currently no cure for dry AMD and any vision loss associated with the disease cannot be restored, even with treatment.
Wet AMD: This form of AMD is caused by fluid that leak from newly formed blood vessels under the macula, resulting in blurred central vision. With wet AMD, vision loss can be rapid and severe, but if detected early, this form of AMD can be treated with photocoagulation (laser treatment).
Other potential treatment options include:
Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration.
Vitamins: A recent study found that vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy: A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

While AMD treatment cannot restore your vision, it can help to slow further vision loss.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about cataracts, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitterand YouTube as well!

Sources:
Macular Degeneration MedlinePlus
Age-Related Macular Degeneration American Optometric Association

November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Month

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There are roughly 29 million Americans that suffer from diabetes, about 8% of the total population. And because diabetes presents with few symptoms, almost a third of these individuals are unaware they have the disease. 

Without knowing they are diabetic, this 1/3 is at an increased risk to develop Diabetic Retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in American adults. They are also over 40% more likely to develop glaucoma, the second-leading cause of vision loss in U.S. And because diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma rarely presents any symptoms, regular eye exams and early detection remain your best options for fighting these diseases.

This is why November was named National Diabetic Eye Disease Month.

The longer these diseases go untreated, the more likely they will result in permanent vision loss. Because of this, it is extremely important for those with diabetes to not only seek regular medical care, but also regular eye exams (at least once a year), as well. If caught early enough, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma are treatable.

If you do experience any symptoms – like blurred/blurry vision – schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. If this change in vision is extreme or if any eye pain is involved, consider having a family member or friend drive you to the emergency room.

Any change in your sight is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Led by Dr. Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:
November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Millions at Risk for Blindness Due to Diabetes- November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Macular Degeneration

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Macular Degeneration, also referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans 60 years of age and older. This eye disease, which affects the part of the retina (the macula) responsible for the sharp, central vision, comes in two types – dry (non-neovascular) and wet (neovascular).

•     The dry form, which is the more common of the two types (accounting for 85-90% of AMD cases), is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits, called drusen, in the macula. As these drusen grow in size and number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision.

•     The wet form is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These blood vessels leak blood and other fluid into the retina, causing distorted vision that makes straight lines appear wavy, as well as loss of central vision. These abnormal blood vessels eventually scar, leading to permanent loss of central vision.

Macular Degeneration tends to affect Caucasians and females more than other demographics. Additional risk factors include:

•     Aging

•     Obesity and Inactivity. Overweight patients with macular degeneration have more than double the risk of developing advanced forms of macular degeneration compared with people of normal body weight.

•     Heredity. Recent studies have found that specific variants of different genes are present in most people who have macular degeneration.

•     High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). High blood pressure may be associated with development of macular degeneration.

•     Smoking. One study found smoking to be directly associated with about 25 percent of AMD cases causing severe vision loss.

•     Lighter Eye Color. Some researchers have theorized that the extra pigment found in darker eyes was a protective factor against the development of the eye disease.

The symptoms of macular degeneration include:

•     Straight lines start to appear distorted, or the center of vision becomes distorted

•     Dark, blurry areas or white out appears in the center of vision

•     Diminished or changed color perception

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Regular eye exams can help to detect macular degeneration before it causes significant vision loss. While there is no cure for AMD, treatment can slow vision loss.

Treatment options include:

Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These medications block the development of new blood vessels and leakage from the abnormal vessels within the eye that cause wet macular degeneration.

Vitamins: A recent study found that vitamins C, E, beta carotene, zinc and copper can decrease the risk of vision loss in patients with intermediate to advanced dry macular degeneration.

Laser therapy: High-energy laser light can sometimes be used to destroy actively growing abnormal blood vessels that occur in macular degeneration.

Photodynamic laser therapy: A two-step treatment in which a light sensitive drug is used to damage the abnormal blood vessels. A doctor injects the drug into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels in the eye. The doctor then shines a cold laser into the eye to activate the drug, damaging the abnormal blood vessels.

Low vision aids: Devices that have special lenses or electronic systems that produce enlarged images of nearby objects.

Submacular surgery (experimental): Surgery to remove the abnormal blood vessels or blood.

Retinal translocation (experimental): A surgical procedure used to destroy abnormal blood vessels that are located directly under the center of the macula, where a laser beam cannot be placed safely.

Currently, about 1.75 million U.S. residents currently have advanced age-related macular degeneration with associated vision loss, with that number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020.

If you feel you may be at risk, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. As with any eye disease, early detection and treatment are your best options.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

You can follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Macular Degeneration Medline Plus

Age-related Macular Degeneration All About Vision

Eye Health: Macular Degeneration WebMD

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