Retina Macula Consultants of California

The #retina is responsible for capturing images and carrying them to our brain. Read more about the retina and its function on our website: http://retinaca.com/what-is-retina.html #RetinaMaculaConsultantsofCalifornia... #RetinaCA See more

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) occurs when the gel occupying the entire back portion of our eyeball has completely separated from the retina. PVD is a natural change that occurs with age as the vitreous gel liquefies and pulls away from our retina and happens in over 75% of those aged 65 or older. It is important to remember that PVD is not an ocular disease nor is it a sign of any impending eye health issue, unless it occurs at a relatively young age. The most common s...ymptoms of PVD are flashing lights and floaters. The flashing lights typically look like bright white or yellow streaks in the peripheral vision. The floaters may occur as small dots, circles, lines, flies, or cobwebs that float across your vision. In most cases, PVDs occur without causing any problems. However, in up to 10% of cases, PVDs are accompanied by an ocular complication. These can include vitreous hemorrhages, which may require surgery if severe, retinal tears which need to be treated with laser, and retinal detachments which require surgery to re-attach the retina since they are sight-threatening. For most people, no treatment is required. The vitreous remains detached and does not re-attach again. PVD does not cause any permanent vision loss, but some associated complications may affect the vision. It is therefore very important that you consult your ophthalmologist as early as possible for a thorough dilated retinal examination if you experience the symptoms of flashes or floaters. #Ophthalmology #PVD #PosteriorVitreousDetachment #Retina #Macula

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It causes damage to the macula, the small area in the center of the retina that allows us to clearly read, see faces, and visualize objects that are straight ahead. There are two different types of AMD: wet and dry. Dry AMD: There is a breakdown or thinning of the layer of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) in the macula. Dry AMD reduces the ...central vision and can effect color perception. Wet AMD: New blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This leakage causes permanent damage to light-sensitive retinal cells, which create blind spots in central vision. The symptoms of AMD include fuzzy or distorted central vision. Age is a major risk factor for AMD. Research also shows that smoking doubles the risk of AMD, and that AMD is more common among Caucasians over African-Americans or Hispanics. People with a family history of AMD are also at higher risk. Dry AMD can be treated with AREDS vitamins and good nutritional health. Wet AMD can be treated with injections of drugs into the eye that will block the new abnormal blood vessels. You might be able to reduce your risk fo AMD and slow its progression by not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, eating foods rich in green, leafy vegetables and fish, and taking AREDS 2 supplements. #Retina #AMD #MacularDegeneration #Macula #Ophthalmology

The #retina is responsible for capturing images and carrying them to our brain. Read more about the retina and its function on our website: http://retinaca.com/what-is-retina.html #RetinaMaculaConsultantsofCalifornia... #RetinaCA See more

Rizwan Bhatti, MD