Retinal Diseases
*video is courtesy of the AAO
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
​
Age-Related Macular Degeneration or ARMD, is when part of your retina called the macula is damaged causing your central vision to be lost. There are two types of ARMD, Wet and Dry. Wet ARMD is when abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the retina, these blood vessels can leak causing damage to the macula. Dry ARMD is happens when protein deposits called drusen grow in your thinned macula causing loss of central vision.
​
Symptoms :
-
Your near and distance vision will be worsened
-
Fine details will be lost
-
Example: You are looking at a clock but you can only see the numbers but not the hands.
​
Treatments:
-
As of now there is no way to treat Dry ARMD but there are ways to slow down the process through diet and supplement management.
-
For Wet ARMD there are anti-VEGF drugs that reduce the number of abnormal blood vessels.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
For more information please refer to: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
​
Retinal Vein Occlusion
​
Retinal Vein Occlusion is a common retinal disease that occurs when swelling or forming of new blood vessels occur due to lack of blood supply to certain parts of the retina which can cause vision loss. There are two types of retinal vein occlusion, branch and central. Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion occurs when the arteries in your eye causes compression of the vein which can damage and clot the vein causing hemorrhage. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion is similar to branch in which thickening of the artery causes damage to the vein. The difference is CRVO occurs in the main vein while BRVO occurs in the veins extending out from the main vein.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Symptoms:
-
Blurred vision,
-
Loss of peripheral vision
-
Floaters
-
Partial of total loss of vision
​
​
Treatments:
-
Currently no cures for BRVO or CRVO; however, there are ways to treat it through anti vascular endothelial growth factors or anti-VEGF. Which will inhibit growth of new blood vessels.
-
Steroids that help maintain vision
​
For more information please go to: https://www.aao.org/munnerlyn-laser-surgery-center/retinal-vein-occlusion#:~:text=Blumenkranz%2C%20MD,a%20response%20to%20retinal%20ischemia.
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
​
Retinal Artery Occlusion
​
Retinal Artery Occlusion is a blockage in at least one of the arteries in your retina. This blockage can be caused by either a blood clot or closing of the artery. There are two different types of Retinal Artery Occlusion, branch (BRAO) and central (CRAO).
​
Symptoms:
-
Painless vision loss
-
Loss of peripheral vision
-
Distorted vision
-
Blind spots
​
Treatments:
-
There are currently no reliable treatments for retinal artery occlusion
​
For more information please go to: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-stroke-affecting-eye
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
​
Hyper Myopic Retinopathy
High Myopic Retinopathy otherwise known as myopic degeneration occurs in people who have high myopia. This occurs because people who have high myopia generally will have a stretched eyeball if the eyeball is stretched too much it can cause damage to the retina. This typically occurs in young adults as they are more prone to changes in their vision.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Symptoms:
-
Loss of central vision
​
Treatments:
-
There are no cures currently for myopic retinopathy; however, we can slow down the growth with regular anti-VEGF injections to limit new blood vessel growth.
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
​
Epiretinal Membrane (ERM)
Epiretinal Membrane otherwise known as macular puckering is a small membrane that forms on the inner surface of the retina. ERM happens when cells called glial cells start to form on the surface of the retina. ERM is usually caused by a condition called Posterior Vitreous Detachment, to read more about it click here. However, ERM can also occur without notice. Most patients with ERM generally show zero symptoms.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Symptoms:
-
Distorted vision
-
Decreased vision
-
Metamorphopsia - a symptom where lines that are meant to be straight are wavy and distorted
​
Treatments:
-
In most cases ERM resolves itself and only needs to be monitored
-
In some cases a vitrectomy needs to be conducted to remove the membrane
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
Macular Hole
A macular hole is a tear in the macula, generally causing your central vision to be distorted and wavy and in the worst case a blind spot will start to form. As you grow older your vitreous shrinks and begins to pull away from your retina. In some cases the vitreous sticks onto your macula and pulls the macula with it causing the tear to form. Eye injuries and infections can also cause a macular hole to appear.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Symptoms:
-
Wavy, distorted, or blurry vision
-
In extreme cases a blind spot will begin to form
​
Treatments:
-
Constant monitoring of the condition through an Amsler grid
-
A vitrectomy may be performed to heal the tear
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
Retinal Hemorrhage
Retinal Hemorrhage is a bleeding on your retinal. This is generally the result of other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, anemia, or leukemia. It can also be caused by head trauma, such as those caused by car accidents.
​
Symptoms:
-
Depending on the severity of the hemorrhage:
-
You may have blind spots
-
You may experience gradual loss in vision
-
​
Treatments:
-
Many mild cases of retinal hemorrhage heal by themselves but in moderate to severe cases your doctor may suggest:
-
Laser treatment
-
Steroid treatment (usually done if you have macular degeneration)
-
​
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
​