The human eye is a marvel, allowing us to perceive the world around us through the intricate interplay of light and neural signals. At the center of this visual symphony lies the retina, a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye responsible for capturing and processing the incoming light. Light is essential for the function of the retina, therefore protecting your eyes from UV radiation requires following tips for retinal health.  The retina is a complex tissue composed of layers of cells, including photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. These cells are crucial for translating li ..read more

The thought of not being able to see is what prompts many people to schedule and keep their annual eye exam. The retina is located all the way at the back of the eye but without it you wouldn’t be able to see at all. Understanding the importance of retinal health with a comprehensive guide will provide lifestyle habits and proactive measures you can take to sustain optimal vision.  Did you know that the diet industry holds a net worth of nearly $75 billion dollars? New year’s resolutions, employer incentives, influencer promises and self-care promotions all lead consumers to improve their ..read more

The purpose of the retina is to capture the light that enters the eye and then convert that light energy into an electrical signal that interprets images to reveal what you see in front of you. While it only has one job, without the retina you won’t be able to see. Damage to the retina may cause blurred vision, partial loss of vision or total loss of vision. The retina consists of layers and subsections that work together to function. Risk factors for retinal disease include age, smoking, obesity, family history, trauma to the eye and people who have diabetes.  The 5 common retina disease ..read more

The retina is essential for the overall function of your eye. When the retina is damaged, neurons die off, blood vessels leak and the brain and the optic nerve do not communicate so visual information is either distorted or completely gone. Age-related macular degeneration is a retinal eye disease that causes vision loss in the central field of vision. While treatment can help, it is an incurable condition, which is why early intervention is crucial. Early detection is only achieved through painless diagnostic tests performed by your eye doctor at Associated Retina Consultants during your regu ..read more

Ultraviolet radiation is invisible to the human eye. The longer the eyes are left unprotected and exposed to ultraviolet radiation, whether from artificial light or the sun’s rays, the greater the possibility for damage. In the same way you would lather your skin in a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield the skin from sunburn, wrinkles, sagging skin, dark spots and the risk of cancer, protecting your eyes from UV radiation is essential for your retinal health. Ultraviolet radiation modifies the proteins in the lens of the eye, worsening eyesight, ultimately forming cataracts, and in severe cases ..read more

A comprehensive eye exam at Associated Retina Consultants can detect many underlying eye conditions and diseases that you may not even be aware you have because symptoms are not present. When you come in for an appointment for retinal imaging, one of the tests performed will be optical coherence tomography (OCT). An optical coherence test is a noninvasive, diagnostic technique for accurately identifying and assessing layers of the retina in microscopic detail by scanning a beam of light to create 3D images. It also shows the fibers of the optic nerve that connects to the brain. Light waves tak ..read more

Retinitis pigmentosa is a class of diseases involving progressive degeneration of the retina and comprises a large group of inherited vision disorders. Retinitis pigmentosa causes light-sensing cells in the retina to break down slowly over time which can lead to vision loss, beginning with loss of night vision, that is often apparent in childhood. Later in life the genetic perspective of retina degeneration from retinitis pigmentosa will cause blind spots to develop in the peripheral vision. As it progresses over years or decades, central vision will be affected causing difficulty when reading ..read more

Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that requires emergency treatment to ensure vision is not lost. Left untreated can result in total blindness. When tissues at the back of the eye pull away from a layer of blood vessels that provide necessary oxygen and nourishment, vision is severely affected. There are 3 types of retinal detachment: rhegmatogenous, tractional and exudative. Each type occurs based on a different problem that causes the retina to move away from its position at the back of the eyes. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common type and is brought on due to n ..read more

Virtually every visual function shows declining performance due to increased age. Age-related eye diseases that affect the retina include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. As the retina ages, the tissues within the eye gradually change; additionally, the lens of the thickens and becomes less flexible. These changes produce negative impacts on vision such as decreased visual acuity, decline in sensitivity of visual field, decreased contrast sensitivity, and changes in light sensitivity. Comprehensive eye exams at Associated Retina Consultants&n ..read more

Eye floaters, flashes of light, blurred vision, blind spots in central vision, distortions in vision such as straight lines that appear wavy, halos around lights, a dark curtain-like covering over the field of vision, shadows in peripheral vision, or sudden loss of vision are critical warnings of retinal disease. Damage to the retina can be the result of underlying health problems related to the eyes or even other parts of the body. The top 5 common retina diseases are macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion and retinitis pigmentosa. Below we will ..read more