5. Surgical Complications from cataract surgery can be a relative emergency. On occasion, a portion of the cataract may dislodge during cataract surgery and slip into the vitreous. Patients usually do not see well and may have trouble with high intraocular pressure. Cause - variations in anatomy, surgical complications Concerns - the biggest medical concern is … [Read more...]
“Mr. Ozurdex” is Seeing Well
January 21, 2010 By 9 Comments
Ozurdex is a new injectable drug delivery system for the eye. Over the past few months we've talked about new technology and the emergence of several sustained release drug delivery systems. About 2 weeks ago, I injected the left eye of one of my patients with Ozurdex™. Ozurdex will release a steroid, dexamethasone, for up to 6 months. The FDA approved Ozurdex … [Read more...]
The Risks of Eye Injections
December 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
The risks and complications of injections into the eye are low. The most dreaded complication of intravitreal injections is infection inside the eye (aka endophthalmitis). The risk of endophthalmitis is reported to be about 0.09%. Endophthalmitis can cause blindness. As more and more intravitreal injections are delivered for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy … [Read more...]
Sometimes You Just Need a Vitrectomy
December 10, 2009 By 16 Comments
A vitrectomy is an eye operation. It is performed by retina specialists for a variety of reasons. In patients with diabetic retinopathy, a vitrectomy may be useful to remove blood in the vitreous, aka a vitreous hemorrhage. There is no reason, to perform a vitrectomy in cases of macular degeneration. In cases of vitreous hemorrhage, bleeding has and blood remains … [Read more...]
Tips On Choosing an “Eye” Doctor: A Retina Specialist?
December 2, 2009 By 5 Comments
You suspect you might have macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. How do you choose a doctor? A little while back, I wrote about the differences between eye doctors. Now that you know the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, how do you choose which is right for you? When do you need to see a retinal specialist? Remember that … [Read more...]
Diabetes and Retinal Detachments
November 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Two types of retinal detachments. One group, called rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, can occur in any one and involves the formation of a tear or hole in the retina. The second group, called traction retinal detachments, involves tissue forming on the surface of the retina and "pulling" the retina to form a detachment. This is the case with diabetic related retinal … [Read more...]
Here’s Blood in Your Eye!
November 6, 2009 By 4 Comments
Blood in your eye can mean many things to different people. The most common "blood" is the sudden appearance of fire engine red blood on the outside of the. It is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. It is usually scary, painless, ugly and benign. As a black and blue bruise, it will clear in about 1-2 weeks. I am talking about blood inside your eye. Vitreous … [Read more...]
American Diabetes Month: Diabetic Eye Disease, What Every Doctor Should Know (so, tell them!)
October 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment
November, 2009, is American Diabetes Month. In my effort to support American Diabetes Month, there are a few things that every doctor should know about diabetic eye disease. The list is short and very direct. Please share this with others; especially your doctors. I have been in practice since 1993. As a retina specialist, I take care of patients with diabetic … [Read more...]
Visual Acuity – How We Measure Your Vision
October 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Image via Wikipedia When you go to your eye doctor, we check your "vision," but there are several ways to actually monitor or evaluate your vision. Basically, almost all vision testing is designed to measure the function of your macula. Macular vision is your central vision. It is our most useful vision. When we are 20/20, we are testing central vision … [Read more...]
Are Dilating Drops Always Necessary?
October 16, 2009 By 39 Comments
Well, yes. It is always necessary to dilate the pupil for a thorough exam of the retina. A dilated pupillary exam is part of a thorough examination of the eye. Without dilation, it is near impossible to see any structures of the retina through the tiny, 2-3 mm, undilated pupil. All my patients need to be dilated because I am a retinal specialist. Most of my … [Read more...]
