Lakeland Eye Clinic provides expert care for vitreo-retinal diseases and disorders. Our team of eye doctors specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of medical and surgical vitreo-retinal diseases.
The retina is a layer of light-sensitive nerve cells along the back of the eye that directly connect to your brain. In fact, the retina is a very specialized part of the brain that is located in the back part of the eye. The retina plays a key role in vision by sensing and processing the light that reaches it after passing through the front part of the eye—the cornea, iris, and lens. Once the retina receives light, neural signals are sent to other parts of the brain, which interprets them into what we understand to be vision. The macula is the most central part of the retina and contains many photoreceptor cells that are responsible for detecting colors and fine details. The areas of the retina outside of the macula are very sensitive to motion and give us our peripheral vision.
When the retina—and especially the macula portion—is diseased or damaged, vision can be significantly impaired. Early detection and effective treatment of retinal conditions are essential to maintain eye health and preserve vision. The highly experienced eye doctors at Lakeland Eye Clinic offer leading-edge diagnostics and treatment options.
The back of the eye is filled by a gel-like fluid called the vitreous. It attaches to the retina and usually does not cause problems in younger patients. As we age, the vitreous ages along with the rest of the body, and these aging changes can sometimes lead to problems with vision and even damage to the retina. That is why we often speak of patients with vitreo-retinal disease.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among older adults. It results from degeneration of the macular tissue and can cause central vision loss, blind spots, changes in color perception, and distorted vision. There are two general categories of AMD, the “wet” or exudative kind, and the “dry” or atrophic kind. The “wet” form of the disease is associated with abnormal blood vessel growth that often leads to severe vision loss. It is often treated with ocular injections. The “dry” form of the disease is treated with careful observation and vitamin therapy. Dry AMD can sometimes turn into wet AMD, and when that happens, prompt diagnosis and therapy are essential to maximize visual outcomes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar. People with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that damages the smallest retinal blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy has several distinct stages with varying symptoms. Early detection is important to prevent permanent vision loss. Learn more about diabetic retinopathy and available treatment options at Lakeland Eye Clinic on our Diabetic Eye Disease page.
Endophthalmitis is an infection of the eye and is also an ocular emergency. Infections can spread to the eye from infections elsewhere in the body, can occur because of trauma to the eye, and can also be a complication of ocular injections or eye surgery. The prognosis of untreated endophthalmitis is often very poor, with a high likelihood of loss of vision, loss of the eye itself, and even the spread of infection from the eye to other parts of the body. The diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis involves careful examination of the eye which often leads to a “tap and inject” procedure where a small amount of fluid is removed from the eye for evaluation in a laboratory to identify the microbe that is causing the infection.
Flashes and floaters are common visual disturbances that appear as flashes of light or as dark specks or strands. Flashes and floaters are typically the result of changes in the vitreous gel but can also be signs of more serious disease. They are often harmless, but it is important to have them evaluated by an experienced eye doctor with expertise in vitreoretinal disease.
