Retina Care Consultants

When referring to the eye, IOL stands for Intraocular Lens. An intraocular lens is a surgical implant that is used to replace the natural lens at the time of cataract surgery. There are many different types and strengths of IOLs. An ophthalmologist who performs cataract surgery will educate patients regarding their cataracts and the best lens options for their unique visual needs.

There are different types of retinal detachments and thus different causes. However, in the “classic” retinal detachment situation, the jelly-like substance that fills an eye known as the vitreous will spontaneously peel off of the retina. Ophthalmologists call this a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). A PVD can sometimes cause a tear or hole in the retina. Water from inside the eye then travels through the tear/hole and gets underneath the retina causing a retinal detachment. A good analogy for this scenario is a room filled with water (the eyeball) with wallpaper along the walls (the retina). If there is a hole or tear in the wallpaper, water can get underneath the wallpaper and cause it to detach from the walls. Other causes for retinal detachment, which are much less common, include diabetes, inflammation, tumors, or trauma.

Macular degeneration is caused by the accumulation of damage in the central retina of individuals over the age of 60. The retina in your eye creates vision through a metabolic process, requiring blood flow and creating waste products. In patients with macular degeneration, this process becomes less efficient, leading to an accumulation of metabolic waste products, inflammation, and decreased blood flow. These changes damage the light-sensitive cells in the retina called photoreceptors. Macular degeneration can cause severe vision loss in two ways. The first is through the widespread drop out of retinal photoreceptors, called 'dry' macular degeneration. The second is through bleeding or swelling in the retina, known as 'wet' macular degeneration. Patients over the age of 60 who experience blurry or distorted central vision are at risk for macular degeneration and should schedule an appointment for a dilated examination with an ophthalmologist.

Macular degeneration is a progressive retinal condition that causes painless loss of central vision in patients over the age of 60. The macula is the center of the retina, a light-sensing structure in the back of the eye. In macular degeneration, the central retina accumulates waste products of vision, becomes inflamed, and experiences a drop in blood flow. Over time the retinal cells responsible for vision (photoreceptors) drop out, resulting in loss of central vision. In some cases, the macula may swell or bleed, resulting in rapid loss of vision. The causes of macular degeneration remain largely unknown, but there are several risk factors that contribute to the chances of developing macular degeneration. The largest risk factors include advanced age, family history, and tobacco use. Treatments for macular degeneration include antioxidant vitamins and eye injections. Patients experiencing vision changes consistent with macular degeneration should consult their ophthalmologist for a dilated exam.

Yes, individuals can inherit a higher risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). There are various genes that have been associated with macular degeneration, many of which can be tested via a saliva sample. Patients with a blood relative with macular degeneration are at higher risk for developing the condition themselves. There are several non-inherited risk factors for the condition as well, such as age, smoking, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Individuals over the age of 60 who have a blood relative with macular degeneration should undergo annual ophthalmology examinations, including dilation and specialized retinal imaging.

There are numerous causes for new floaters in the vision, many of them concerning for permanent vision loss or blindness. Among the dangerous causes for new eye floaters are retinal tears, retinal detachment, bleeding in the eye, eye infection, and inflammation. Individuals experiencing floaters in the eye should seek an immediate dilated retinal examination with an ophthalmologist. Unlike new floaters, chronic floaters (>6 months) are generally not a sign of danger and can be evaluated by an ophthalmologist on a non-urgent basis.

Hi Mr St. Germain. Thank you for your question. While we are happy to see patients referred from their eye or primary care providers, we generally don't need another doctor's referral in order to schedule your appointment or process your insurance claim. There is a short list of insurance providers that do require a primary care doctor referral, however our staff will be happy to assist you in securing a referral without having to visit another provider first.

Diabetic macular edema is swelling in the central retina and is the most common cause for vision loss in diabetics. Long-standing increased blood sugar causes damage to blood vessels. The blood vessels will become leaky and cause edema. Diabetic macular edema becomes more common the longer someone has diabetes—regardless of blood sugar control. Patients with diabetic macular edema usually experience progressive blurring of their central vision. Treatment options include retinal laser and eye injections. An eye doctor specializing in retinal disease will be able to evaluate the eye for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.

Macular edema, or swelling in the central retina, is serious because it can cause permanent vision loss without treatment. Therefore, the cause needs to be identified and treated to prevent long term, irreversible retinal damage. The most common diagnoses associated with macular edema include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.

While macular edema can resolve on its own, most symptomatic cases of swelling in the retina benefit from treatments prescribed by an ophthalmologist specialized in retina. The macula is another term for the center of the retina. There are many causes for swelling (edema) of the macula, including due to vascular abnormalities such as those found in age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. Sometimes recent cataract surgery or infection can cause macular edema as well. While mild cases of macular edema can resolve without treatment, most symptomatic patients benefit from treatments prescribed by retina specialists, including eye drops, eye injections, retinal laser, or retina surgery.

Macular edema can be reversed with treatment by an ophthalmologist specialized in retinal diseases. Macular edema is another term for swelling of the central retina, which can occur in macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and after cataract removal. Depending on the cause, macular edema can be treated with observation, eye drops, eye injections, retinal laser, or retinal surgery. An eye doctor specializing in retinal conditions will take a careful history and perform a detailed examination to determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment regimen.

A dislocated intraocular lens usually results in blurry vision, glare, and haloes. Cataract surgery involves the removal of a patient’s original, cloudy lens and replacement with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant. Sometimes, these lens implants can move out of position, causing a decrease in vision. Dislocation of an intraocular lens can be complete or partial (subluxation). Restoration of vision can be achieved through surgical repositioning or replacement of the dislocated lens. In all cases of painless loss of vision, an ophthalmologist should perform a complete ocular examination to ensure that your cataract lens implant has not shifted out of position.

Cataract surgery can be redone, most commonly after a problem occurs with the lens implant from the original procedure. Cataract surgery entails removing the natural lens material and replacing it with an artificial lens implant designed to match the patient’s approximate prescription. If there is a problem with the implant, such as damage, dislocation, or patient dissatisfaction, the surgeon can replace or reposition the implant. Patients may also develop a ‘secondary cataract’ in the months or years following cataract surgery, which is a condition remedied with a painless, non-invasive laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy.

Eye floaters are caused by shadows from opacities suspended in the vitreous jelly that fills the eye. The eye is filled with clear jelly called vitreous. The vitreous jelly is composed of 98% water trapped within a matrix of collagen fibers. The collagen fibers are thin and regularly spaced, which allows light to pass through without interference. Over time, the collagen fibers in the vitreous jelly start to condense, becoming thick and irregular. These collagen opacities cast shadows on the retina. The shadows drift in the vision as the vitreous jelly shifts with eye movement, causing floaters. Sometime between the age of 50-70 in most individuals, the vitreous jelly spontaneously separates from the retina. This causes a sudden increase in collagen opacities within the vitreous jelly, along with a corresponding increase in floaters. Although collagen opacities are the most common cause for floaters, any debris within the vitreous jelly can cast a shadow on the retina. Other potential sources of debris within the vitreous jelly include infections, inflammation, bleeding, and retinal tears. Regardless of the cause, the onset of new floaters may be dangerous and requires an urgent dilated examination with an ophthalmologist.

A retinal detachment can be prevented by urgent dilated eye examination and treatment in patients experiencing new flashes and floaters. Commonly between the ages of 50 and 70, individuals experience a sudden, spontaneous onset of new flashes or floaters in their vision. These symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal tear or detachment. Anyone who experiences new flashes and floaters should seek an urgent dilated examination with an ophthalmologist. If a retinal tear is identified, the ophthalmologist will likely treat it with laser or freezing to prevent a detachment. Oftentimes, patients will be referred to a retina specialist for further evaluation or treatment. Occasionally, a retina specialist may treat an asymptomatic patient with laser or freezing to prevent a retinal tear or detachment.

A retinal detachment may cause permanent blindness over the matter of days and should be considered an eye emergency until evaluated by a retina specialist. Most retinal detachments occur suddenly and can threaten the central vision within hours or days. Anyone experiencing new onset of flashes, floaters, or loss of peripheral vision should seek an urgent dilated exam with an ophthalmologist. After a retinal detachment is diagnosed, the timing of surgical repair depends largely on the location of the detachment in relation to the central vision. If the central vision is still attached, a retina specialist may proceed with treatment within 24-48 hours to repair the detachment before it progresses through the central vision. If the central vision is detached at the time of diagnosis, the surgeon may schedule treatment within the next 7-10 days. Even with timely diagnosis and treatment, retinal detachment may result in permanent visual loss or blindness.

A detached retina occurs when fluid from inside the eye moves through a retinal tear and underneath the retina, causing rapid vision loss and need for urgent treatment. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the back of the eye. Light that enters the eye is focused on the retina, which then sends the images to the brain. Sometimes, tears or holes form in the retina, particularly around the ages of 50-70. These holes may allow fluid from inside the eye to move under the retina, causing it to separate (detach) from the back of the eye. In most cases, a detached retina occurs spontaneously without any previous trauma. Symptoms of a detached retina include flashes of light, new floaters, and a grey curtain in the vision. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek an immediate dilated examination with an ophthalmologist. Treatment for a detached retina is urgent, and may involve laser, gas injection, or surgery. Even with treatment, a detached retina may lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Chronic floaters can be safely observed as they are not harmful to the eye, however, laser or surgical removal are available to individuals whose floaters significantly interfere with their daily activities. If there is a single, discrete floater (sometimes referred to as a Weiss Ring), it can often be vaporized into smaller, non-visually significant pieces with an in-office laser procedure. For diffuse, cloudy floaters, surgical removal with a procedure known as a vitrectomy is often recommended. Vitrectomy is a common procedure performed in an outpatient setting, and is used to treat many other eye conditions such as retinal detachment, macular hole, and epiretinal membrane.

Floaters are mobile opacities in your vision resulting from debris within the jelly that fills your eye. Human eyes are full of a jelly-like substance called vitreous. Mostly made of water, the vitreous achieves its jelly-like properties through the interaction of collagen fibers and other molecules that maintain the shape and clarity of the eye. At birth. collagen fibers in the vitreous jelly are thin and regularly spaced, allowing light to pass through them without casting a shadow on the retina. With age, the collagen in the vitreous jelly starts to clump into larger opacities, causing mobile, hair-like shadows to show up in the vision. The shadows are particularly prominent when looking at a bright blue sky or white wall. In early life, the vitreous jelly is in contact with the surface of the retina in the back of the eye. Between the age of 50-70 in most people, the vitreous jelly separates from the surface of the retina, causing a sudden onset of flashes and new, dark floaters. These new symptoms are sometimes accompanied by retinal tears or detachments, and a dilated eye exam is recommended for anyone experiencing new floaters. Sometimes, large floaters become a chronic, aggravating symptom. While most chronic floaters can be safely observed, treatment options such as laser and surgical removal are available for those patients with significant disruption of their everyday activities.