Retina Care

What is the Retina?

The retina is the membrane that lines the inside of the eye. Think of it like film in a camera. Images are captured on the retina, encodes, and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve. As you can imagine, the processes of the retina are very complex and can be hindered in several different ways.

Happy senior couple taking selfie at the beach

What Are Common Retinal Conditions?

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a disease that attacks the part of the eye where our sharpest central vision occurs: the macula. It is a progressive eye condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It robs individuals of all but their outermost vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the center of vision, but it rarely results in complete blindness.

When macular degeneration begins, the person may initially notice a blurring of their central vision, most apparent when performing detailed tasks like sewing or reading. They may also notice straight lines appearing distorted or warped. Blind spots form in the central vision as the disease progresses. The extent of how much central vision is lost varies depending on the type of degeneration. Usually, if macular degeneration occurs in one eye, it will develop in the other eye as well.

Despite age-related macular degeneration being the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 55, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) showed that patients could decrease their risk of vision loss by 19% by taking a high-potency antioxidant AREDS formula supplement daily.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes affects various aspects of a person’s health, including the eyes. Blood vessels in the retina can become damaged as a result of diabetes. The damage is called diabetic retinopathy. There are two types, depending on how severe the disease is.

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the less severe form of the disease. It occurs when fluid from the damaged retinal blood vessels leak into the macula. The macula swells as a result and causes blurry or cloudy vision.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the more advanced stage of the disease and can cause the most damage to a person’s vision. In this stage, new blood vessels form in the retina and leak blood into the vitreous. If left untreated, PDR could potentially lead to retinal detachment or glaucoma.

The best way to stave off diabetic retinopathy is to be health-conscious and manage your diabetes well. Have regular eye exams so that doctors can examine developments in the retina. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy ranges from simple maintenance to complex treatments, including surgery.


Floaters

Floaters are usually caused by foreign matter in the vitreous, an eye injury, or an existing eye disease. They are small abnormalities in a person’s vision that appear as tiny spots or curvy lines that move with the eye. Because they could indicate a more serious condition, monitoring floaters closely is important. That being said, they do not adversely affect overall vision themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the initial consultation take?

Please allow two hours for the consultation, including diagnostic procedures.

How are the vitreous and the retina related?

The vitreous fills the inside of the eye and attaches to certain parts of the retina. Foreign matter in the vitreous can be harmful.

What are the different types of macular degeneration?

There are two types of macular degeneration (MD), wet and dry.

The most common type of MD is dry MD. It accounts for approximately 80% of all macular degeneration cases, but only 20% lead to severe vision loss. Dry MD occurs due to aging and thinning blood vessels under the macula.

While wet MD occurs less frequently, it accounts for most cases that result in severe vision loss. Wet MD is caused by an abnormal growth of new blood vessels that leak. It is aggressive in nature, disrupting the central viewing function of the macula, eventually resulting in the complete loss of central vision if not treated.

Research for new treatments for macular degeneration continues to show progress. For the time being, high-intensity reading lamps, magnifiers, and other low-vision aids assist those with macular degeneration to use the vision they have remaining.

Patient Portal Ways to pay Request an Appointment Order contacts 410-821-9490

Our locations

1209 York Road,
Lutherville, MD, 21093
410-821-9490
Hours
Monday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00am-6:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

301 Saint Paul Place
Professional Office Building
Suites 514 & 902
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-727-8380
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm

Ridge Road Professional Center
7106 Ridge Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 866-2022
Hours
Monday-Wednesday: 8:00am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-1:30pm

3401 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive
Suite 202
Abingdon, MD 21009
410-569-0707
Hours
Mon: 8am-4pm
Tue: 8am-6pm
Wed: 8am-5pm
Thu: 8am-5pm
Fri: 8am-4pm

111 Mt Carmel Rd #600
Parkton, MD 21120
410-329-6700
Hours
Hours:
Monday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
NO SATURDAY HOURS In November & December.
We will resume normal business for the 2nd and 4th Saturdays beginning the New Year 2024.

Optical Opens at 9:00am each day.

310 Main Street
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-833-5515
Hours
Mon 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tues 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Weds (CLOSED)
Thurs 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat (First and Third Saturday of the month): 8:00am - 1:00pm

21 Crossroads Drive
Suite 425
Owings Mills, MD 21117
443-738-4270
Hours
Tues & Thur: 8 am-5 pm
Fri: 8 am-4 pm

901 Dulaney Valley Road
Suite 200
Towson, MD 21204
410-583-1000
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm