Retina Questions Answered

Central Florida Retina Institute, Specializing in diseases and surgery of the retina, macula, and vitreous, 877-245-2020 Questions answered, about retina-related topics: Glossary of Ophthalmologic Terms The Retina Description of a retina Description of the vitreous What can be done about my retinal problem? Diabetic Retinopathy What Is Diabetic Retinopathy? How Do I Know If I Have Retinopathy? Are there any treatments for diabetic retinopathy? Epiretinal Membranes What is an Epiretinal membrane? What are the symptoms? Can Epiretinal membranes cause total blindness? How common are Epiretinal membranes? How fast do Epiretinal membranes progress? What are the causes of Epiretinal membranes? Does hardening of the arteries cause Epiretinal membranes? Are eye strain, nutrition, general health, smoking or emotional stress related to Epiretinal membranes? If one eye develops an Epiretinal membrane, will the other eye develop one? What is the treatment for Epiretinal membranes? Is ICG dye needed for this type of surgery? If surgery is not performed, will the Epiretinal membrane progress? What are the criteria for surgery? Is there a non-surgical treatment for Epiretinal membranes? Is there a laser treatment for Epiretinal membranes? Do Epiretinal membranes ever disappear without surgery? What drops should be used after vitreous surgery for Epiretinal membranes? How long does the surgery take? Is the surgery performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis? What is the success rate? Can complications occur due to the surgery? Flashers & Floaters What causes light flashes? What can cause this pulling on the retina? Symptoms of Flashes I thought that only retinal breaks cause light flashes. Not true? Can light flashes be caused by forces not related to the retina of the eye? Description for Floater. Symptoms of Floaters. What is the most common cause of floaters? Can floaters cause total blindness? Can light flashes cause total blindness? How common are flashes and floaters? What are some of the other causes? Are eye strain, nutrition, general health, smoking, or emotional stress related to flashes and floaters? If one eye develops flashes or floaters will the other develop them as well? What is the treatment for flashes and floaters? What are the criteria for vitrectomy to remove floaters? Is there a medication or eye drop for the treatment for flashes or floaters or is vitrectomy the only option? Is there a laser treatment for floaters? Do floaters ever disappear without vitrectomy? How long does a vitrectomy take? Is the vitrectomy performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis? What is the success rate? Are there any complications? Macular Degeneration Description of macular degeneration? Symptoms of Macular Degeneration Can macular degeneration cause blindness? What can this loss of central vision mean in terms of quality of life? What are the types of macular degeneration? How common is AMD? In what way is the retina damaged in AMD? What is the underlying cause of AMD? What are drusen? Do drusen cause AMD? Do drusen disappear without treatment? Can drusen be treated? Does hardening of the arteries cause AMD? Does nutrition play any role in the development of AMD? Have vitamins A, E, C, beta carotene, zinc, selenium, or bilberry, when taken as supplements, been shown to have any beneficial effect in preventing AMD? Have the specific antioxidant substances (zeaxanthin, lutein) in dark leafy green vegetables, when taken as supplements, been shown to have an effect in prevention? Does smoking play any role in AMD? I have drusen. Should I stop smoking? Why should I be concerned about using beta carotene supplements to prevent AMD? What kinds of AMD are typically seen? What is "dry" AMD? What is "wet" AMD? What is neovascularization? Why do these new vessels form? If one eye develops a scar, will the other one? What are some of the treatment options for "wet" AMD? How does laser treatment (photocoagulation) work? Which patients are recommended for laser treatments? Is laser treatment effective? Are there problems associated with laser treatments? What is photodynamic therapy, or PDT? Is photodynamic therapy effective? What is plasmapheresis, and is it effective? What about submacular surgery? Is Alpha I interferon effective? Is thalidomide effective? Is low dose radiation effective? What about macular translocation? Is RPE (macular) transplantation effective? What about alternative treatments I've heard about, like acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and magnetic therapy? What measures can I take against AMD? Macular Holes Description of the macula Description of a macular hole Symptoms of a macular hole Can macular holes cause total blindness? Are there different types of macular holes? How common are classic macular holes? What is the cause of classic macular holes? Does hardening of the arteries cause macular holes? Are eye strain, nutrition, general health, smoking or emotional stress related to macular holes? If one eye develops a macular hole, will the other eye develop one? What is the treatment for macular holes? I've heard that ICG dye is sometimes used in this type of surgery. Do you use it? Is there a medication for the treatment of macular holes? Is there a laser treatment for macular holes? Do holes ever disappear without surgery? What is the purpose of the gas bubble? Why is it necessary to be face down when a gas bubble is in the eye? How many hours per day should the patient be face down? What drops should be used after vitreous surgery for macular holes? How long does the surgery take? Is the surgery performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis? Does the two-week gas bubble (SF6) result in the same success rate as the three-week bubble (C3F8)? Can I fly with a gas bubble in my eye? What is the success rate of the vitreous surgery? Are there any complications? If the hole reopens, should surgery be repeated? Retinal Detachment Description of retinal detachment? Symptoms of Retinal Detachment What is the relationship between near-sightedness and retinal detachment? If a retinal detachment occurs after eye surgery, does it mean that the surgeon made a mistake? What kind of trauma can lead to retinal detachment? What injuries typically cause retinal detachments? What can cause pulling on the retina? I thought that only retinal breaks, tears, or holes cause retinal detachment. Not true? Can retinal detachment cause total blindness? How common is retinal detachment? Are eye strain, nutrition, general health, smoking, or emotional stress related to retinal detachment? If one eye develops retinal detachment will the other develop it as well? What treatments are used for retinal detachment repair? What is a vitrectomy and why is it used for the treatment of retinal detachment? Are other techniques used during vitrectomy procedures? What is a scleral buckle? What is the purpose of the gas bubble? Are gas bubbles ever used without vitrectomy? Is there a laser only treatment for retinal detachment? Is there a medication or eye drop for the treatment for retinal detachment or is surgery the only option? Do retinal detachments ever disappear without surgery? How long does the surgery take? Is the surgery performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis? What is the success rate? Are there any complications? What care is required after surgery? Retinopathy Of Prematurity | Clinical Trials Description of Retinopathy Of Prematurity | Clinical Trials (ROP)? Symptoms of ROP? Why are eye exams performed on premature babies? When are the first eye exams performed? Who performs the eye exams? Where are the eye exams performed? How are the eye exams performed? Is the eye exam uncomfortable for a premature baby? How often are the follow-up eye exams performed? What are the different stages of ROP? What happens if the ROP does not go away? What treatments are there for ROP? How is the laser treatment done? What complications are there? What happens if the laser treatment does not work? What has to be done for the baby after the laser treatments are performed? What is the follow-up care after laser treatments? What is the long-term care? Does oxygen administered to babies cause ROP? Do neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) lights worsen ROP? Do vitamins help ROP? Retina FAQs | Glossary of Ophthalmologic Terms | Description of a Retina | Diabetic Retinopathy | Epiretinal Membranes | Flashers & Floaters | Macular Degeneration | Macular Holes | Retinal Detachment | Retinopathy Of Prematurity | Clinical Trials Board Certified Ophthalmologists, Scott M. Friedman, M.D. and Oren Z. Plous, M.D. Specializing in diseases and surgery of the retina, macula, and vitreous Central Florida Retina Institute, 877-245-2020 2202 Lakeland Hills Boulevard., Lakeland Florida 33805 400 Avenue K S.E, Bldg. A, Winter Haven Florida 33880 7068 Ft. King Road, Zephyrhills, Florida 33541