Dr. Niteen Dedhia

Feb 16, 2018

Feb 16, 2018

Retina is like the film in a camera. Retina is the third and inner coat of the eye which is a light-sensitive layer of tissue. When the focused light hits the retina, a picture is created and sent to the brain through the optic nerve (the nerve of the eye), thus giving us vision. Sometimes part of the retina either tears, pulls away or detaches from the back of the eye; when this occurs that part of the retina cannot gather light ans results in vision loss.

Retinal Tears Explain By Dr. Niteen Dedhia @ Ojas Eye Hosital

Diseases and conditions of the retina

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinal tear

Retinal Detachment

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

What causes in AMD?

During normal aging, yellowish deposits, called drusen, form under the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that provides clear, sharp images.

As drusen increase in size and number, they can interfere with proper functioning of the retina, damaging or killing the light-sensitive cells of the macula.

Because the macula’s light-sensitive cells provide the ability to have sharp, detailed vision, the results can be blurring of central vision and a devastating impact on the ability to enjoy activities of daily life, such as reading, driving, or even recognizing the face of a friend or family member.

This form of age-related macular degeneration is called dry AMD. Dry AMD can be a precursor to wet AMD.

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These blood vessels often leak blood and fluid, damaging or killing light-sensitive cells—loss of vision occurs quickly.

Although approximately 80 percent of patients with age-related macular degeneration have dry AMD, wet AMD is responsible for 80 to 90 percent of severe loss of vision with this disease.

Life with AMD : what you should know but din’t

AMD may be a difficult condition, but it is not as devastating as people fear when they are diagnosed and only rarely leads to complete blindness. Millions of people actually live healthy, independent lives, despite having age-related macular degeneration.

It is important to learn about the disease and work with a retina specialist, who will put a treatment plan in place. These physicians have the ability, training, and experience to treat all medical and surgical aspects of AMD and other diseases of the retina.

A retina specialist can also suggest access to rehabilitation options like low vision aids which includes a variety of tools and resources that can make everyday living with AMD a little bit easier.

Symptoms

The earliest signs of AMD in the retina can be detected by a retina specialist before you have any vision loss, but those who have had the disease for some time may notice changes in vision which are symptomatic of dry and wet AMD.

Dry AMD symptoms

Need for brighter light when reading

Difficulty adapting to low light levels

Increased blurriness of printed words

Decrease in brightness of colors

Blurred spot in the center of the field of vision

Blank or black spot in the field of vision (spot will start small and grow over time, possibly leading to blindness

Wet AMD



Early stage wet AMD Early stage wet AMD



End stage wet AMD with scarring End stage wet AMD with scarring

Wet AMD Symptoms

Sudden painless decline in central vision

Visual distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy, or objects appearing larger or smaller than they are

Well-defined blind spot in the center of vision

It is important to pay close attention to any decline in central vision—both near and distant. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, schedule an examination with a retina specialist.

Risk factors

Many people ask if age-related macular degeneration can be prevented. Like most things in life, there is no easy answer.

The primary risk factor for AMD is age—the older you are, the greater your risk. Also, people with a family history of AMD are at higher risk, as are women and people of European descent.

Some lifestyle factors are also known to increase your risk for AMD:

Cigarette smoking

Obesity

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Excessive sun exposure

Diet deficient in fruits and vegetables

Diagnostic tests

The best way to detect AMD is an examination by a retina specialist. The following are some typical methods he/she will use to check for AMD.

Dilated eye exam

In this examination, a physician uses eye drops to dilate, or widen, the pupil to examine the retina. Regular dilated eye exams are important, especially for those who are at a higher risk for developing AMD.

If you are over age of 50, it is a good idea to schedule an periodic eye examination to look for the earliest signs of AMD before any vision loss has occurred.

Ocular coherence tomography

The physician may suggest an optical coherence tomography (OCT) exam. This test provides cross-sectional images of the retina that show its thickness, helping determine whether fluid has leaked into retinal tissue and other changes that happen with AMD.

Amsler grid

Another way to detect AMD is by using an Amsler grid test. In this test, the patient covers one eye at a time and stares at the black dot at the center of the grid. If the straight lines appear broken, crooked, wavy, bent, or distorted, the patient may have AMD.

It is important to note that this test is hardly sufficient to rule out the possibility of AMD, as many people with the disease may see no abnormalities on an Amsler grid.

Visual acuity test

Because AMD affects visual acuity, an eye chart can also be an indicator of the development of AMD.

Treatment and drugs

There is no known cure for AMD, but early detection and proper treatment can protect vision from further deterioration.

Dry AMD treatments

Currently, no medical treatments exist for dry AMD, but the retina specialist will suggest strategies to slow its progression—taking vitamin or mineral supplements, for example.

If you have Dry AMD, it is extremely important to follow your retina specialist’s eye examination schedule.

eye examination schedule. Biweekly Amsler’s grid self examination

Also, if you experience new symptoms or your notice any deterioration in vision, see your retina specialist right away.

Wet AMD treatments

There is a variety of medical treatments that can help stop further vision loss caused by wet AMD:

Laser surgery – These procedures can eliminate abnormal blood vessels and prevent additional leakage, bleeding, or growth.

– These procedures can eliminate abnormal blood vessels and prevent additional leakage, bleeding, or growth. Photodynamic therapy – In this treatment, the patient is injected in the arm with a medicine that is triggered by a laser to destroy abnormal blood vessels.

– In this treatment, the patient is injected in the arm with a medicine that is triggered by a laser to destroy abnormal blood vessels. Eye injections – These medicines destroy abnormal blood vessels in the eye and prevent them from leaking.

Intravitreal Injections

Pegaptanib (Macugen)

Bevacizumab (Avastin)

Ranibizumab (Lucentis): Is the newest and most effective anti-VEGF agent approved by the FDA for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Retinal Tear / Detachment

Tears or detachment results from aging, an eye-injury, or another eye problem.

A retinal detachment occurs when fluid leaks through the tear and separates the retina from the back of the eye.

Symptoms of Retinal Tear:

Floaters (specks or threads in your vision).

Flashes (lights, stars or streaks in your vision).

Sudden blurry vision.

Treatment of Retinal Tear is mainly surgical this involves :

Pneumatic retinopexy- Sealing a tear:

This procedure can be used to treat retinal detachment if the tear is small and easy to close. A small gas bubble is injected into the eye (specifically into the clear, gel-like substance between the lens and the retina), where it then rises and presses against the retina, closing the tear. A laser or cryopexy can then be used to seal the tear.

Each of these treatments seals the retina to the back of the eye, and prevents progressive deterioration of the tear.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment:

Flashes of light

Seeing “floaters” (small flecks or threads)

Darkening of your peripheral (side) vision

Treatment for Retinal Detachment :

Laser Treatment of the Retina : Laser is usually performed to decrease leakage in the retina, treat abnormal blood vessel growth, or create a beneficial scarring effect that can help prevent a retinal detachment. It is a non invasive procedure .

Laser is usually performed to decrease leakage in the retina, treat abnormal blood vessel growth, or create a beneficial scarring effect that can help prevent a retinal detachment. It is a non invasive procedure . Scleral Buckle : This treatment for retinal detachment involves surgically sewing a silicone band (buckle) around the white of the eye (called the sclera) to push the sclera toward the tear until the tear heals. This band is not visible and remains permanently attached. Laser or cryo treatment may then be necessary to seal the tear.

This treatment for retinal detachment involves surgically sewing a silicone band (buckle) around the white of the eye (called the sclera) to push the sclera toward the tear until the tear heals. This band is not visible and remains permanently attached. Laser or cryo treatment may then be necessary to seal the tear. Vitrectomy : A sophisticated microsurgical technique in which the vitreous gel is removed from inside the eye with a small, specialized cutting device, an operating microscope to look into the eye, and microsurgical instruments.

A sophisticated microsurgical technique in which the vitreous gel is removed from inside the eye with a small, specialized cutting device, an operating microscope to look into the eye, and microsurgical instruments. Depending on the complexity of the retinal detachment, various combinations of vitrectomy, buckle, laser and gas bubble may be used to repair the retina.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects eyes. It’s caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). The cells in persons with diabetes mellitus have difficulty using and storing sugar properly. When blood sugar gets too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the rear of the eyes. This damage may lead to diabetic retinopathy. It can lead to vision loss or blindness. You already may have diabetic retinopathy, or be at risk for it. But you can take steps to reduce your risk of vision loss from this condition.

Symptoms

Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)

Blurred vision

Fluctuating vision

Impaired color vision

Dark or empty areas in your vision

Vision loss

Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes

Causes

The primary cause of diabetic retinopathy is diabetes—a condition in which the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Elevated sugar levels from diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that nourish the retina and may in some cases block them completely. As a result, the blood supply to the retina from these damaged blood vessels is cut off and vision is affected.

In response to the lack of blood supply, the eye may create growth factors that lead to diabetic macular edema, which can lead to decreased vision, or proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to retinal detachment and vision loss.

Risk factors

Causes

The primary cause of diabetic retinopathy is diabetes—a condition in which the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood are too high. Elevated sugar levels from diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that nourish the retina and may in some cases block them completely. As a result, the blood supply to the retina from these damaged blood vessels is cut off and vision is affected.

In response to the lack of blood supply, the eye may create growth factors that lead to diabetic macular edema, which can lead to decreased vision, or proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to retinal detachment and vision loss.

Risk of developing diabetic retinopathy can increase as a result of:

Duration of diabetes — the longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy

— the longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy Poor control of your blood sugar level

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Pregnancy

Tobacco use

Being black, Hispanic or Native American

Complications

Complications can lead to serious vision problems:

Vitreous hemorrhage : The new blood vessels may bleed into the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of your eye. If the amount of bleeding is small, you might see only a few dark spots (floaters). In more-severe cases, blood can fill the vitreous cavity and completely block your vision.

Vitreous hemorrhage by itself usually doesn’t cause permanent vision loss. The blood often clears from the eye within a few weeks or months. Unless your retina is damaged, your vision may return to its previous clarity.

Retinal detachment. The abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetic retinopathy stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. This may cause spots floating in your vision, flashes of light or severe vision loss.

The abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetic retinopathy stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. This may cause spots floating in your vision, flashes of light or severe vision loss. New blood vessels may grow in the front part of your eye and interfere with the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, causing pressure in the eye to build up (glaucoma). This pressure can damage the nerve that carries images from your eye to your brain (optic nerve).

Eventually, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or both can lead to complete vision loss.

Development & Types Of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes damages the blood vessels of the Retina & as a result, they may leak fluid, proteins or fats or they may rupture & cause haemorrhage (bleeding) or they may get blocked. This is seen in Background Diabetic Retinopathy.

In the more severe cases, as the blood vessels get blocked, the subsequent loss of nutrition & oxygen to the retina promotes the growth, i.e. proliferation of new, fragile abnormal vessels on the optic disc or elsewhere which easily rupture & use cause large haemorrhage & severe visual loss or blindness. This is seen in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

When there is involvement of the central vision with difficulty in near vision affecting the most part of the retina called Macula it is known as Diabetic maculopathy.

Detection & Prevention Of Vision Loss

The problem with diabetic retinopathy is that there are no symptoms in the early stages. During the time when retinopathy is most easily treated, the diabetic will not notice visual changes. In fact, more than 50% of patients with proliferative retinpathy may have good vision for 5 years or more. When visual symptoms start, it is often too late. Therefore, consider the following steps:

Routine eye examination – Eyes should be checked periodically as advised by your eye doctor

– Eyes should be checked periodically as advised by your eye doctor Diabetes Control

Control of blood pressure (hypertension) and cholestrol

Stop smoking & alcohol intake.

Investigations

Diabetic retinopathy is best diagnosed with a dilated eye exam.

During the exam, the eye doctor looks for:

Abnormal blood vessels

Swelling, blood or fatty deposits in the retina

Growth of new blood vessels and scar tissue

Bleeding in the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye (vitreous)

Retinal detachment

Abnormalities in optic nerve

In addition to this exam, there are 3 other diagnostic tools eye specialist use to detect and manage diabetic retinopathy:

Fundus Photograph : This involves taking images of retina using a specialized non contact fundus camera.

Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA): By injecting dye into one of the peripheral veins, severity of retinopathy can be picked up for treatment depending on the pattern of dye leakage.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): is non-invasive as compared to FFA (no needle) & with fundus photography, it provides accurate screening for diabetic retinopathy severity. We have installed the latest 3D OCT at Ojas for enhanced imaging quality.

In addition, the eye doctor may:

Check vision

Measure eye pressure to test for glaucoma

Look for evidence of cataracts

Treatment

Laser photo-coagulation: Diabetic retinopathy is a treatable condition by laser photocoagulation. The Laser beam energy is absorbed by the ocular tissues/retina where it is directed & it is then changed to heat energy which coagulates the tissue by burning. Thus the Laser is used to spot weld the leaking point in the retina. We can prevent the complications of retinopathy such as haemorrhage, fibrous scar tissue formation & retinal detachment.

Diabetic retinopathy is a treatable condition by laser photocoagulation. The Laser beam energy is absorbed by the ocular tissues/retina where it is directed & it is then changed to heat energy which coagulates the tissue by burning. Thus the Laser is used to the leaking point in the retina. We can prevent the complications of retinopathy such as haemorrhage, fibrous scar tissue formation & retinal detachment. Intravitreal injections : these are the more recent means of treating diabetic retinopathy. Like Lasers they are not particularly painful, can be more effective than laser itself in most cases.

: these are the more recent means of treating diabetic retinopathy. Like Lasers they are not particularly painful, can be more effective than laser itself in most cases. Surgery : with Microincisional (keyhole) Stitchless Vitrectomy surgery, diabetic retinopathy complications like bleeding & retinal detachment can be easily treated without opening up tissues of the eye or taking stitches.

Understanding Retina with Dr. Niteen Dedhia ( Retina surgeon in Mumbai )

Are you looking for Retina Treatment in Mumbai, Bandra and Kandivali City?

We at Ojas have Best Retina Specialist in Mumbai for Retina treatment and surgery. At Ojas Eye Hospital, one of the best eye hospital in Mumbai all kinds of Retinal diseases like Diabetic Retinopathy, Age Related Macular Degeneration, Retinal tear and Retinal Detachment are treated.

Contact Ojas Eye Hospital today for all your Retina Treatment in Mumbai City at Call us (+91) 9137462795.