Looking Out for Your Retina
The retina is a paper-thin tissue that lines the back of your eye and sends visual signals to your brain. Retina damage can cause permanent vision loss, and our team at Albemarle Eye Center is here to preserve your vision.
Our doctors recognize the importance of your retina and can detect a range of eye diseases and conditions using the latest retina technology.
Find out how we can create a treatment and prevention plan for your specific retinal condition by booking an appointment with Albemarle Eye Center today.
How Does Your Retina
Work for You?
The middle of your retina is a highly specialized area called the macula. The macula is made up of millions of light-sensing cells that work together to produce your central vision. The purpose of the retina is to receive light that the lens has focused on, convert the light received into neural signals, and send these signals to your brain for visual recognition.
Because of the retina’s crucial role in your vision, any damage can cause permanent blindness. So it is essential to identify retinal floaters and detached retina symptoms, as well as schedule your diabetic retinal screening before your situation worsens.
The retina is susceptible to many diseases, some of which can seriously threaten your vision. These diseases include retinal issues such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, or flashes and floaters.
Our team at Albemarle Eye Center is equipped to diagnose and treat your condition.
Retina Conditions & Diseases
Treating retinal conditions and diseases depends on the specific issue you are dealing with and how severe it is. Prevention is the most effective way to preserve your sight from retinal problems in many cases.
Floaters & Flashes
Floaters are tiny spots and cobweb shapes that drift around in your field of vision. Floaters can be annoying, but ordinary floaters and spots are common and usually not a cause for concern. Floaters usually appear when tiny pieces of the eye’s gel-like vitreous break loose within the inner back portion of the eye.
Floaters appear more prominent when looking at a bright, clear sky or a white computer screen. Most floaters are harmless and fade over time, and require no treatment.
Surgery is rarely required to remove floaters—however, if you see an increase in floaters accompanied by flashes of light, it may signify something more serious. If you start experiencing an increased amount of flashes and floaters, get in contact with us at Albemarle Eye Center and come in for an eye exam.
Retinal Detachment
A detached retina is a serious and vision-threatening condition that occurs when the retina becomes separated from its underlying supportive tissue. When these layers are detached, the retina cannot function. Unless reattached soon, it can result in permanent vision loss.
If your vision becomes blurry and you suddenly experience floaters and flashes of light, you may be experiencing the warning signs of a detached retina. These signs can occur gradually, or they may occur suddenly if the retina detaches without notice.
Risk factors of retinal detachment are:
- Nearsightedness
- Previous cataract surgery
- Glaucoma
- Previous retinal detachment in your other eye
- Family history of retinal detachment
No pain is associated with retinal detachment, so please contact our experts at Albemarle Eye Center if you experience any of the symptoms above.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina, causing them to leak fluids. These fluids can then damage your retina and lead to permanent vision loss.
Fluctuating blood sugar levels can increase the risk of this disease, along with long-term diabetes. Keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure at an even level can help in prevention, but even controlled diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans aged 50 and older. AMD is a degeneration of the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for the sharp central vision needed to read or drive.
There are 2 types of AMD:
- Dry AMD is more common and it occurs when parts of the macula get thinner with age and tiny clumps of protein called drusen grow. Drusen are responsible for thinning the macula as you age.
- Wet AMD is less common but much more severe. Wet AMD occurs when new, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels can leak blood or other fluids and scar the macula. You can lose your vision faster with wet AMD.
No FDA-approved treatments are available for dry macular degeneration, although some are in clinical trials. Get in touch with our experts at Albemarle Eye Center for more information regarding clinical trials.
The Importance of Retinal Health
Your retina is the home base of the many systems that support your vision. Monitoring your retina’s health is essential to keeping your vision crisp and clear for years to come.
Learn more about how we can support your retinal health by booking an appointment with us.
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At Albemarle Eye Center, our research department continues to take part in numerous FDA-monitored clinical trials.
Our advanced eye care center is committed to improving ocular health, which is why we’re always on the search for new treatment options, medications, and medical devices that can benefit our patients
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