Common Retinal Problems

When it comes to eye problems, many people are familiar with refractive errors and cataracts. The former are vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and the latter refers to a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. Yet when it comes to eye problems involving the retinas, many people are not quite sure what to expect.

The team at our Beverly Hills eye surgery center feels it would be helpful to look at some of the common retinal problems that people face. This may give you a better idea of what we focus on here at Retina Vitreous Consultants.

What is the retina and why is it so important?

The retina is one of the most important parts of the eye. In the simplest of terms, the retina is the thin tissue that lines the inside of the eye. This tissue is light sensitive and your sight is dependent on how the light that passes through the eye and hits the retina. There are many layers of the retina, and its in the retina that the rods and cones are located, both of which are special kinds of cells that are necessary for vision and color perception in various light conditions.

If you have an eye condition that affects the retina or its adjacent structures, skilled Beverly Hills ophthalmologist Dr. David J. Parks will be able to identify the problem and perform the necessary treatment. Lets look at some of those common retinal problems right now.

Detached Retinas

Retinal detachment refers to an instance in which the retina detaches from the interior of the eye. The three different kinds of retinal detachment are rhegmatogenous (tearing of the retina causes separation and detachment; this is the most common kind), tractional (scar tissue on the retina causes lifting and detachment), and exudative (retinal diseases contribute to detachment).

Retinal detachment can be dealt with through laser treatment or a cryopexy. Major retinal detachments will require more involved surgery.

Macular Degeneration

Beverly Hills macular degeneration refers to a condition that affects the macular, which is the central part of the retina. The macula contains millions of the photosensitive cells that we referred to above. With age, macular degeneration is more common. It comes in two forms: dry macular degeneration (90% of cases are the dry kind) and wet macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration can be managed through different kinds of laser surgeries and through the use of a drug called Macugen. Dietary changes may also be recommended.

Diabetic Retinopathy

At our Beverly Hills ophthalmology practice, we have helped many patients who have eye conditions related to other health conditions. One example is diabetic retinopathy, a retinal disease which is linked to diabetes. During diabetic retinopathy, oxygen is unable to reach the retina normally, which often leads to fluid leaking into the macula. This leads to gradual damage of the retina and vision impairment.

The most common treatments for diabetic retinopathy are laser surgery, intraocular administrations of medication, and vitrectomy.

More Information on Your Treatment Options

This is only a sampling of a few common retinal problems. There are others out there that we can discuss with you in more detail during a consultation. To schedule an appointment, contact Los Angeles ophthalmologist Dr. Daivd J. Parks today.