Retina Care: Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment and More in Monterey and Salinas

The retina is one of the most delicate and important parts of the eye. It is the “screen” upon which images are projected before they are transmitted to the brain. If the retina becomes damaged or diseased, the visual consequences can be permanent and devastating. Whether they are caused by aging or a condition such as diabetes (which leads to diabetic retinopathy), the doctors at Monterey Bay Eye Center (Monterey) and Monterey County Eye Associates (Salinas) are able to detect and treat retinal problems so that the patient’s vision is preserved.

Diabetic Retinopathy

It is estimated that about 40 percent of American people with diabetes also have diabetic retinopathy. This condition, which patients in Salinas and Monterey can have treated at our practice, affects the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, some of these vessels become blocked and unable to deliver oxygen and nutrients to their destinations.

As more blood vessels become blocked, the body will grow new vessels to bypass them. Unfortunately, these new vessels are thin, weak, and subject to leaking blood and other fluid into either the vitreous humor or the macula. Not only can this leaked fluid cause reduced visual acuity, but prolonged bleeding and sudden hemorrhages can cause permanent blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Prevention by control of blood sugar using diet and medication is the best course of action to avoid retinal damage due to diabetic retinopathy, but more extreme treatments may still become necessary. For treatment of severe cases of diabetic retinopathy, the doctors at Monterey County Eye Associates in Salinas and Monterey can use laser surgery, which serves to slow the leakage rate and reduce the amount of fluid that is already in the retinal area. Laser surgery has shown to be highly effective and reliable, preventing further vision loss in about 50 percent of patients who receive the treatment.

Retinal diseases are complicated and require ongoing monitoring and treatment. To increase the chances of keeping your valuable eyesight for years to come, it is essential to be under the care of highly qualified doctors. If you have diabetes and are concerned about the dangers of diabetic retinopathy, contact us in Monterey or Salinas and set up a consultation with our friendly staff.

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Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when injury or disease such as diabetes causes the retina, the “screen” of the eye upon which images are projected, to become detached from its supporting structure. Once this happens, vision is lost. Depending on the cause of retinal detachment, vision loss may occur either gradually or suddenly.

As with other vision problems such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment is best treated as soon as possible following the first symptoms of its onset, which may include flashes of light, blurry vision, or the appearance of a “shadow” or “curtain” across your field of vision.

The ophthalmologists of Monterey Bay Eye Center use laser technology to repair early detachments of the retina. For more advanced detachments, other methods of treatment include applying pressure to the affected area with an injected gas bubble, or retinal detachment surgery performed by Dr. Del Piero.

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Macular Degeneration

Like cataract formation, macular degeneration is responsible for many age-related vision problems. Unlike cataract formation, surgery cannot treat the problem. The macula is a very small part of the retina that is responsible for detail-oriented vision, such as is used when reading, sewing, or recognizing faces. It is very sensitive and can be easily damaged when changes occur in the eye during the aging process.

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. The dry form occurs when the tissue of the macula thins and becomes less effective. Wet macular degeneration is generally more damaging and, like diabetic retinopathy, is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth. After these new blood vessels form beneath the retina, they leak blood into the eye. Cells in the retina are damaged by the blood and cause a loss of central vision.

Currently, there is no known cure for either type of macular degeneration. However, several treatments are available that delay the associated vision loss; these include vitamins, laser treatment, and intraocular injections of medication that the doctors of Monterey County Eye Associates would be happy to discuss with you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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Macular Holes

A macular hole is another eye condition that can severely affect vision quality; however, they are not related to the development of macular degeneration. The eye is filled with a clear substance called the vitreous humor that has the consistency of gelatin. As you age, this substance shrinks; in doing so, it pulls away from the surface of the retina.

In most cases, this shrinkage does not noticeably affect vision, and the space between the remaining vitreous humor and the retina is filled with fluid. However, in some patients, the vitreous humor is more strongly attached to the retina, and when it pulls away, damage in the form of a macular hole is the result.

Macular hole treatment, unfortunately, is more invasive than that for glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, or even cataract surgery. To treat a macular hole at one of our Monterey or Salinas clinics, Dr. Del Piero will perform a vitrectomy, which is the removal of the shrunken vitreous humor that caused the hole. The space is refilled with a gas to keep the retina flat while it heals. Macular hole treatments require extensive post-surgical recovery, during which the patient needs to spend days or even weeks in a face-down position.

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Besides our work with custom Wavefront™ LASIK patients, we also take great pride in helping patients with diabetic retinopathy and other conditions affecting the retina. Contact an expert at Monterey Bay Eye Center in Salinas or Monterey for help with your problem before it becomes too serious to treat.

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