True sudden vision loss can occur from a variety of reasons and are considered emergencies. Most commonly retinal disease is the culprit. Almost all causes of are painless. While both macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness, they both usually do so slowly. There are exceptions. Vision Loss from Diabetes Vision lost from diabetic … [Read more...]
Vitreous Hemorrhage and Diabetes
May 10, 2010 By 9 Comments
A vitreous hemorrhage can result in sudden, painless loss of vision. In patients with diabetes, the cause may be due to either a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Remember, the proliferative phase of the diabetic retinopathy means that there are areas of neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel proliferation) on the … [Read more...]
Eye Surgery Removes Floaters
May 5, 2010 By 88 Comments
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...]
Gas Injection for Retinal Detachments
April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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 … [Read more...]
Vitrectomy Surgery for Retinal Detachments
April 16, 2010 By 13 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Scleral Buckle Surgery for Retinal Detachment
April 14, 2010 By 205 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Eye Surgery Can Blind
February 22, 2010 By 18 Comments
There are risks to eye surgery, especially intraocular operations such as cataract removal or vitrectomy. Cataracts are the most common eye surgery and vitrectomy eye surgery is usually performed by a retina specialist for various problems of the retina and vitreous. Infection, inside the eye, called endophthalmitis, is uncommon, yet can blind. There are all sorts … [Read more...]
“Top Ten” Retinal Eye Emergencies: Part II
February 7, 2010 By 2 Comments
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...]
“Top Ten” Eye Emergencies: Part 1
February 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Any vision loss can be scary. Sudden vision loss is even more frightening. There are really only a couple of "true" retinal eye emergencies. I've listed the "top ten," remember that there are many ways to define an emergency. All involve loss of vision, or at least a change in vision, and that alone probably qualifies as an "emergency." By the way, if you have … [Read more...]
