Knowledge is Prevention

Learn About Retina Conditions

Stop suffering from retina conditions with services from our eye centers in Wahiawa, Hawaii and Hilo Hawaii. The retina, or light sensing nerve layer in the back of the eye, can be affected by conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment. All of these can pose a great threat to your vision if untreated, which is why Hawaiian Eye Center provides exceptional treatments for most retina conditions!
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Often, there are no symptoms. As the condition becomes more advanced, blurred vision can occur from either swelling in the macula or bleeding in the eye. If bleeding occurs, the patient may see spots floating around, strings, or cobwebs.
What Is OCT III?
This is a relatively new technology that allows us to take pictures of and see the retina in the eye in three dimensions. This makes it easier to visualize changes within the retina, such as swelling or bleeding. It can often be used to determine whether laser or other treatments are working effectively. It also allows us to measure the thickness of the nerve fiber layer in the back of the eye, which is helpful in diagnosing glaucoma. OCT stands for "Optical Coherence Tomography."
Diabetic Retinopathy, Retina Conditions in Wahiawa, HI
What Are the Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Blurred vision, especially wavy vision, difficulty distinguishing faces, and a dark spot in the center of the vision that does not move are all symptoms of this retina condition. Often, the first symptom is when straight lines, like window frames, look crooked or wavy.
What Are the Symptoms of a Retinal Tear?
New spots floating in the vision and flashing lights, such as lightening flashes, are the main symptoms. If a dark curtain comes down over your vision, this is an indication of the detachment of the retina and requires immediate attention of an eye specialist.
Does Treatment with a Laser Hurt?
Most laser treatments do not hurt. Treatments for macular degeneration and for diabetic macular edema do not hurt. Usually, only numbing drops are necessary prior to the treatment. If more extensive laser treatment is done for bleeding from diabetes, a numbing injection is often given to prevent eye pain.
What Will the Doctor Do to Examine the Retina?
After examination of the vision and dilation of the eyes, the doctor will look at the retina using a bright light and microscope. Then the doctor will decide whether any tests, such as fluorescein angiogram, OCT, or other diagnostic tests, are necessary as well as if laser treatment is necessary.
What Is a Fluorescein Angiogram?
This is a series of black and white photographs taken using a camera with special filters. In this test, a harmless dye is injected into your bloodstream and we photograph it as it circulates through your blood vessels. These photographs clearly show leaking and unhealthy blood vessel, which may require laser treatment.
What Is an Ultrasound Test?
This test uses sound waves far above the range of hearing to explore the structures within and around the eye. If bleeding occurs that prevents visualization of the back of the eye, we can use the ultrasound to take a picture of the back of the eye so that the doctor can see it.

 Contact us in Wahiawa, Hawaii, or Hilo, Hawaii for more information about the retina.