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Retina FAQs

Retina FAQ’s

Before Your Surgery

What Is A Retina Specialist?
A retina specialist is a medical doctor who has specialized in Ophthalmology and sub-specialized in diseases and surgery of the vitreous body of the eye and the retina.

I’m 40 years old. Do I need to check my retina?
Yes. An annual retinal check-up is recommended as many eye changes, including presbyopia start in our 40’s.

What is an eye floater?
Eye floaters are small structures (clumps of protein) inside your eye that cause you to see spots, transparent blobs, or tiny worm-like shapes drifting through your vision. Floaters move around as you shift your gaze and are most apparent when you are looking at a uniform, bright background such as a blank wall or clear blue sky.

Should I be concerned about floaters?
Because floaters can be a symptom of a potentially blinding condition, it is important that you have any new floaters examined to rule out a retinal tear or detachment. Please make an appointment with our specialists to confirm retina health and function.

How does diabetes affect the eye?
Diabetes is a potentially blinding disease. It causes Diabetic Retinopathy, which occurs due to poor blood circulation and the resulting inadequate oxygen supply. Diabetic Retinopathy is a retinal disease that results in retinal hemorrhages, ischemic patches, and abnormalities in the retinal blood vessels. The major risk factors for these retinal conditions are the duration of diabetes, the level of blood sugar control, concomitant hypertension, and pregnancy. The longer the patient has diabetes, the more he or she is at risk of developing the disease.

What symptoms will I have if I develop a retina problem?
Retinal problems are indicated by a host of different symptoms, including:

  • New floaters or flashes of light
  • Dark shadows that appear in the central or peripheral vision
  • Blurring or distortion of central vision
  • Grey or missing spots that appear in the vision
  • The sudden appearance of black strings or “bugs”

What Causes Retinal Detachment?
The fluid sac that maintains the shape and form of your eye is referred to as the vitreous. Certain factors can cause the vitreous to pull on your retina and cause it to detach from its underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is the retina’s main supply of blood, so when the retina detaches from it, it will be deprived of pigment, oxygen, and nutrients. Without immediate treatment, this condition may cause vision loss.

Is the antiangiogenic treatment the same as the medicine Avastin?
No, it’s not the same. Avastin is NOT approved by the FDA or COFEPRIS to treat retinal diseases. We use Lucentis, which is FDA and COFEPRIS approved to treat retinal diseases. Lucentis has shown to be better in clinical studies and is safer because it is made for an intraocular application.

Is antiangiogenic treatment useful to treat maculopathy?
It depends on the type of maculopathy, which can be determined through an evaluation.

Is it possible to regain sight if one has retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency but, yes, it is possible to regain your sight. Outcomes are better the sooner you are diagnosed and treated.

My family has a history of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, will I get Macular Degeneration?
Both genetic and environmental factors have been found to be associated with the disease, but Macular Degeneration does not have a clear and well-established inheritance pattern like many other diseases. However, it is estimated that approximately 15 to 20 percent of individuals with Age-Related Macular Degeneration have at least one first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the disease.

During Your Procedure

Is retina laser surgery painful?
No. There is some discomfort during the procedure and some patients may experience mild pain. Lasers are generally well tolerated.

Post Procedure Recovery and Care

Can I get a lens implant if I’ve had a retinal detachment surgery?
Yes. Many people who have had surgery for a detached retina will then develop cataracts. These people should definitely have an intraocular lens placed at the time of cataract surgery.

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