Issues With Your Retina

Diabetic RetinopathyAt Millennium Park Eye Center, we offer all the services for protection and care of your eyes. As part of our treatment specialization, we treat several issues that arise with the retina.

What does the retina do?

The retina is the delicate part of the eye that covers the back of the eye. Somewhat like film, it is light sensitive and receives images that are projected through the eye’s lens. These images are then sent to the brain through the optic nerve. The retina plays a crucial role in vision, and when it is impaired your eyesight will be as well. The retina may be damaged due to illness, injury, or simply as a result of the aging process.

What is post-vitreous detachment?

Posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD, is a condition of the eye where the vitreous gel shrinks and separates from the retina. Because it happens gradually as we age, often the patient doesn’t know it is occurring.

PVD happens because the vitreous gel (called humor) that fills the eyeball behind the lens begins to change sometime between age 40 and 50. The gel’s normal structure breaks down, and parts shrink and lose fluid. Thick strands of the gel form and drift through the eye. These appear as floaters in front of your vision. The PVD sufferer may also see flashes of light.

This kind of PVD doesn’t usually cause any problems. But if the vitreous gel has a strong attachment to the retina, the gel can pull so hard on the retina that it tears the retina. This allows fluid to collect under the retina and may lead to retinal detachment.

What is retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment happens when the retina separates from the lining of the eye’s inner back wall. Retinal detachment can be a result of retinal tears, holes, and traction, which can be due to the formation of scar tissue on the retinal surface. The retina cannot function under these circumstances, so when retinal detachment is not properly addressed, the condition may develop into permanent vision loss. Retinal detachment can happen without warning, but often, particularly if detachment originated with a retinal tear, the person will see flashes and floaters. If treated before full detachment occurs, a simple laser procedure performed in-office can prevent the need for more serious surgery.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a retinal condition that occurs as a complication of diabetes. The condition causes swelling and weakening of the retinal blood vessels, which can lead to blood and other liquid leaking into the retina. This bleeding affects vision, but it can also create scar tissue that can cause retinal detachment. Once this happens, vision loss may occur. Diabetic retinopathy may be prevented if blood sugar levels and blood pressure are controlled. Beyond that, we can perform laser photocoagulation to seal leaking blood vessels.

Eye exams will catch these problems early

The key to successfully dealing with these retinal problems is early diagnosis. That’s why your yearly eye exam with Millennium is important. This is particularly true as you get older. Although it will not necessarily prevent the above conditions, we can catch them early enough that they can be addressed before there is any vision loss.

Call us at 312-996-2020 to make your appointment.