Frequently Asked Questions
Uveitis
The middle layer of the inside of the eye and it has many blood vessels.
Light sensitivity, blurred vision, pain, floaters, redness of the eye.
Inflammation of the inside of the eye from the uvea.
Viruses, systemic inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, shingles, injury, fungal and bacterial infections.
Blood tests along with signs, symptoms and clinical diagnosis on examination.
Many times, with anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone and Humira. Both systematically and locally along with intra-ocular injections can and are given.
Yes. Iritis, intermediate uveitis and posterior uveitis or choroiditis.
Macula Holes
A defect in the macula.
Distortion, blind spots in the central vision and loss of central vision.
No, only loss of central vision.
Most occur in the elderly and are related to posterior vitreous detachment and macular puckers.
Generally, not.
Vitrectomy surgery, gas injections and sometimes intravitreal drugs.
In the late stages generally not. In the very early stages some can resolve by themselves.
Vitrectomy
It is the type of eye surgery that treats various disorders of the retina and vitreous.
- Bleeding in the eye from tears in the retina, diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusions and multiple other causes.
- Retinal detachment repair.
- Infections inside the eye.
- Macula holes or macula pucker.
- Inflammations inside the eye.
It can take from one to several hours, depending on your condition.
The removal of the vitreous and scar tissue, along with laser and injection of silicone oil or gas.
Infection, bleeding, retinal detachment and poor or loss of vision.
Floaters and Flashes
Small specks moving in your field of vision. They are clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous.
Generally aging and separation of the vitreous cause posterior vitreous detachment. Also, floaters can be caused by bleeding, retinal tears, inflammation and diabetic retinopathy.
Yes, they can be for many people.
Most of the time they will not cause a problem. Sometimes, if they are very annoying, a vitrectomy or laser can be used to lessen them. While some floaters may remain in your vision, many will fade over time. If you have a sudden onset of floaters or new ones, you should see your retinal specialist.
When the vitreous pulls on the retina. They can appear for several weeks or months and can be like bolts of lightning.
No
Macular Degeneration
It is a broad term describing diseases that lead to loss of central vision. It is called aging related macular degeneration.
Loss of vision, gradually or suddenly in the central vision.
Generally, in adults, there are dry and wet types. Other types include hereditary such as Best’s Disease and cone degeneration. Toxicity from Plaquenil and pentosan can cause it also, along with other drugs.
Generally, age and 35% of the cases are probably hereditary. It is more common in whites with blue eyes.
They are yellow spots in the retina associated with AMD.
Yes, Generally, a good nutrition and a healthy diet are recommended. Please stop smoking.
AREDS2 vitamins are recommended in many types of AMD for the antioxidant properties.
Anti-VEGF treatments which involve many injections of drugs into the middle of the eye.
Generally, not! We treat it like cancer and in most cases this treatment works and preserves your vision.
Artery and Vein Occlusions?
Branch and central artery occlusions, and branch and central artery occlusions.
Laser and injections, including anti-VEGF drugs and steroids are commonly used.
Risk factors include coronary and carotid artery disease, hypertension, blood disorder, diabetes and smoking. Glaucoma can also be a risk factor along with inflammatory diseases. Artery and vein occlusions are blockages of the blood vessels in the retina.
Most times, with treatment, vision will improve and also prevent further complications and further loss of vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy
It is damage to the retina caused by high blood sugar over many years.
It damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina and can cause loss of vision with leakage of fluid or blood.
- Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy usually causes loss of vision with leakage into the central portion of the macula called the fovea.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy causes loss of vision from bleeding and scar tissue.
You can have both together which is common
Regular dilated examinations by your eye specialist, along with testing.
Yes, fortunately many are available including laser, injections into the eye including steroids and anti-VEGF drugs such as Eylea, Lucentis and Avastin. Good control of your sugar also helps.
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