Retinal Tears and Vitreous Hemorrhage

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 retina.  While this is … [Read more...]

Your Eye Treatments

Eye drops are the most common form of medication for your eyes.  There are also ointments (aka salves), pills and injectable medicines.  The eye is unique in the many ways.  It can be treated directly with medicines.  Eye drops and ointments are the most common.  Medications given by mouth or intravenous usually don't get into the eye well, due to the blood brain barrier.  Direct injection … [Read more...]

When a Cataract Comes Back

While not a retinal problem, cataracts can "return" and can mimic the symptoms of the original cataract; blurred vision, glare and distortion.  This can usually be remedied by a simple painless laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy. Cataract Surgery with Implant Like grey hair, everyone gets cataracts.  With time, the natural lens of the eye clouds with time.  This clouding decreases … [Read more...]

Eye Patches After Surgery

Patching the eye after surgery is a matter of routine.  The eye patch is usually worn only overnight and then removed for the rest of the post-operative period.  It can offer protection, reduce discomfort, but really has no "healing" attributes. The Lid Should be Closed Against the Eye A properly placed eye patch, for any reason, should be a "pressure patch," meaning that the taped patch … [Read more...]

Eye Drops to Help You Heal

After eye surgery, there are several eye drops to help you recuperate, and heal, quickly.  These eye drops usually include an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and sometimes, an eye drop to keep  you dilated for comfort. There are many types of eye surgery; cataract, glaucoma, corneal, retina, etc.  In general, the post-operative medications/drops that we use are about the same. … [Read more...]

Eye Surgery Removes Floaters

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 and/or retinal detachment.  … [Read more...]

Gas Injection for Retinal Detachments

Injecting gas into the eye, called pneumatic retinopexy, is the fourth way to fix retinal detachments.  Other methods include Scleral Buckle Vitrectomy Eye Surgery Combination of Scleral Buckle and Vitrectomy Gas Injection This procedure is performed in the office.  Similar to other intraocular injections, except gas is introduced into the eye instead of anti-VEGF medications or … [Read more...]

Vitrectomy Surgery for Retinal Detachments

Vitrectomy eye surgery for repair of a retinal detachment can be an alternative or adjunct to scleral buckle.  Vitrectomy surgery involves the removal of the vitreous from the eye.  This procedure was introduced (i.e. invented) in the mid-1970's and enhanced our ability to treat retinal detachments. Retinal Tears Cause Retinal Detachments Remember that the culprit in "rhegmatogenous" retinal … [Read more...]

Scleral Buckle Surgery for Retinal Detachment

A scleral buckle is one of several ways to "fix" a retinal detachment. Other ways include vitrectomy eye surgery as well as a combination of scleral buckle and vitrectomy.  An office procedure, called pneumatic retinopexy, is sometimes used as well. Scleral Buckles are "Oldies But Goodies" The scleral buckle has been employed for about 75 years.  The principle behind a scleral buckle is to … [Read more...]

Vision Saved by Web Site

Vision saved by reading a web site?  Yes, my patient saved his own vision after reading about retinal detachments on this blog.  Learning from a credible health information source (this blog)  about his condition initiated a cascade of events leading to saving his vision. A retinal tear or retinal hole can cause a retinal detachment.  Flashes and floaters sometimes precede the formation of … [Read more...]

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