Retinal Disease Specialist

What is retinal disease?

There a wide range of retinal diseases that can impact any area of the retina, which is located at the back of the eye and contains numerous cells that receive and communicate visual information to the brain through the optic nerve.

Common conditions and diseases affecting the retina include:

• Retinal tears or detachments
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Epiretinal membrane
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Macular hole

Macular degeneration is also a type of retinal disease.

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration causes the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. This type of retinal disease is the leading cause of vision loss and significantly affects a person’s central focus of vision while their peripheral vision remains intact.

Most cases of macular degeneration are due to aging, heredity, and the environment, but the chances of having this retinal disease can also increase due to being overweight, having heart disease, or smoking.

What causes retinal disease?

Retinal diseases can have a variety of potential causes, including:

• Aging
• Certain diseases, like diabetes
• Trauma or injury to the eye

Having a family history of retinal disease also increases the chances of developing these conditions in the future.

What are the symptoms of retinal disease?

The symptoms of retinal disease vary depending on the specific condition, but in general, may include:

• Having distorted or blurred vision
• Experiencing defects in side vision
• Scene cobwebs or floating specks

Some retinal diseases can also cause vision loss.

How is retinal disease diagnosed and managed?

The optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center usually diagnose retinal disease during a comprehensive eye exam where they look for eye abnormalities and review the patient’s family history. To ensure an accurate diagnosis and optimal retinal disease management, Antelope Valley Optometric Center relies on specialized equipment, like optical coherence tomography (OCT).

OCT is an advanced technology that creates detailed images of a patient’s retina to look for macular holes, macular swelling, and epiretinal membranes. It can also monitor the response to treatment and measure the extent of macular degeneration.

To manage retinal disease, the optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center works closely with each patient to stop or slow the condition’s progression while also improving or restoring their vision. Early diagnosis and management are vital with retinal disease, as many types of retinal damage are irreversible.

For more information on diagnosing and managing retinal diseases, call Antelope Valley Optometric Center or schedule an appointment online today.