Randall V. Wong, M.D., Retinal Specialist
Marc Staal of the New York Rangers was struck in his right eye yesterday by a hockey puck fired by his opponent Kimmo Timonen of the Philadelphia Flyers. The incident has refueled the visor debate. Had the NHL veteran been wearing a visor, the puck would have simply glanced off harmlessly. As we all await status reports about the injury, just what might have happened … [Read more...]
The FDA just approved Argus II, a retinal implant, to restore vision to patients with a rare blinding disease, retinitis pigmentosa. The device, an external visual system that communicates wirelessly with an internal implant, is marketed by Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. Argus II has been used in Europe for several years and the company hopes to start U.S. … [Read more...]
An epiretinal membrane (ERM), or macular pucker, is a thin layer of tissue that grows on the surface of the macula. It is found in normal, healthy eyes and may cause decreased vision and/or distortion. Epiretinal membranes are not related to macular degeneration. ERM = Macular Pucker = Cellophane Maculopathy = Wrinkle Symptoms of an ERM The most common symptoms of … [Read more...]
A vitrectomy is the basic operation used by a retina specialist for treatment of blood, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal detachments and...floaters. There is no difference between a vitrectomy for floaters (FOV) and a vitrectomy for removal of blood, macular pucker, etc. In all cases, the vitreous must be removed to allow me to safely operate on the … [Read more...]
Cataract surgery does not cause macular degeneration. Macular degeneration, however, is often discovered just after cataract surgery when the vision fails to improve as hoped, causing many patients (and their frustrated families) to wonder if the cataract surgery caused macular degeneration. Failure for Vision to Improve In most cases of cataract surgery, vision gets … [Read more...]
A vitreous hemorrhage may be caused by a retinal tear. Sometimes there is so much blood in the eye that direct examination is impossible and we can only guess at the most likely cause. It is the most difficult situation for me to handle as a doctor. Patients lose significant vision as the blood in the middle of the eye physically blocks all light from hitting the … [Read more...]
Decreased vision and double vision (aka diplopia) after retinal detachment surgery may occur, yet is not common. The perception of "double" is more common than actually seeing two of everything. There are several causes for really seeing two images following retinal detachment surgery. Scleral Buckle May Cause Diplopia A common method to fix a retinal detachment … [Read more...]
There are several causes of flashes. The most common cause is a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), but a retinal tear, migraine and inflammation can also cause the same visual symptoms. In other articles, a PVD and retinal tear have been well covered. Flashes Due to Migraine Without getting too specific, there are visual migraines that yield a scintillating … [Read more...]
Persistent floaters that decrease vision can be removed. A vitrectomy, a retinal eye operation, can be used to successfully remove the vitreous and the "floaters" located within this gel-like tissue. Most Floaters are From a PVD Most new "spots" or "cob-webs" are due a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). A vitreous detachment increases the risk of a retinal tear … [Read more...]
"Will glasses help?" We often wonder if "correction" will help decreased vision in the presence of retinal disease such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Spectacles can only help so much yet won't "reverse" the loss of vision from the disease. This is opposite to those people who claim they are "blind," yet with glasses see quite well. How do Glasses … [Read more...]
