What is Macular Pucker?

Macular pucker affects approximately 10 percent of people, particularly men and women over the age of 50. Based in the center of your retina, the macula is responsible for the part of your vision that allows you to see straight ahead. As you read the text on this page, you are using your macula. When the retinal surface forms an extra layer of tissue and contracts, distorting the retina, it is known as a macular pucker. They look like a piece of scotch tape and can distort the central vision. If you start to notice this, you should see a doctor for macular pucker as soon as possible.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease, which causes visual loss in patients over the age of 50. The vision loss is painless, usually gradual and not severe, but can be variable among patients. Macular degeneration is named for the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Peripheral vision is usually not affected by macular degeneration and often, this illness will go unnoticed until a patient engages in a task such as driving or reading, in which central vision is crucial. As the term “degeneration” implies, the illness becomes more noticeable over time and tends to get worse with or without treatment. Macular degeneration typically affects adults over 65 and the main risk factors for the disease are increasing age and genetics (family history of macular degeneration). Smoking, high cholesterol and hypertension are also risk factors. This disease does not cause total blindness and most macular degeneration patients can see well enough to care for themselves.

What is Retinal Tear and Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment is treatable when caught early. Treatment may or may not involve an in or outpatient surgical procedure. In cases that do require surgery, a patient may require immediate attention or the procedure may be postponed for days or even weeks depending on the condition’s severity. Two major retinal detachment surgeries include: Vitrectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon removes the vitreous jelly, which has pulled on the retina and caused retinal detachment. Usually, the doctor then replaces the fluid with a gas bubble, which the eye, in time, will absorb and replace with its natural fluids. Doctors may recommend this surgery in instances where:

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where high blood sugars damage the blood vessels in the retina (the retina is the layer of cells in the back of the eye that transmit light to the brain to form images). There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

What is Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) and Macular Edema?

The retina is the light-sensing layer of cells that lines the inner wall of the back of the eye. The retina converts light into signals that are sent to the brain where they are recognized as images. What is Retinal Vein Occlusion? Your retinas require a rich supply of oxygenated blood. This blood is carried to the retina from the heart through arteries, while veins carry deoxygenated blood from the retina back to the heart via the optic nerves. The arteries that transport oxygen to your retina may stiffen and thicken over the years, especially in people with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The retinal arteries and veins are close to the optic nerve and cross various locations on the retina’s surface. As arteries thicken, they can compress the retinal vein at artery-vein crossing points or in the optic nerve. This compression can be so severe that the veins become constricted and thus blood flow to the heart is reduced. The blood then backs up into the retina not unlike the water in a clogged bathtub. The pressure of blood in the veins causes swelling (called macular edema) and bleeding in the retina.

       
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Macular Degeneration Specialist Orange County, CA

A skilled macular degeneration specialist Orange County CA patients trust understands that the prospect of losing one’s eyesight can be a frightening and overwhelming situation. At the Retina Eye Associates of Orange County, we have treated many patients with macular degeneration and may be able to help you if you have been diagnosed with the condition.

There are three stages of macular degeneration a patient may suffer:

Early degeneration: At this stage, there is typically no vision loss;
Intermediate macular degeneration: In some cases, the patient may experience some loss of vision, but there are usually no symptoms at this point;
Late macular degeneration: There are two types of macular degeneration at this stage. Atrophic, also referred to as dry macular degeneration, is the less severe type and is the most common. The more severe type is exudative, which is referred to as wet macular.

Macular Degeneration Testing

Each Orange County macular degeneration specialist from our practice has extensive experience treating patients who suffer from this condition. If you or your primary medical doctor suspect you have developed macular degeneration, there are tests that we can perform to determine that diagnosis. In order to make the correct diagnosis, it is important for the patient to undergo a dilated eye exam. This is the only way to determine whether or not macular degeneration exists.

The steps of the eye exam that your macular degeneration specialist Orange County CA may take you through could include:

1. A visual acuity test which uses an eye chart to measure how well the patient can see at distances.
2. An amsler grid to determine if the lines of the grid appear wavy or disappear when the patient looks at it. Difficulties with central vision is a symptom of macular degeneration.
3. A dilated eye exam where the macular degeneration specialist Orange County CA will place eye drops in the patient’s eyes in order to dilate the pupils. This allows for a better look into the eye in order to see if there are any signs of macular degeneration in the optic nerve or retina. The specialist will use a magnifying lens for this test.
4. A fluorescein angiogram test where the specialist injects fluorescent dye into the patient’s arm and then takes photos as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the patient’s eye. If the photos show the blood vessels are leaking, this could be an indication of rapidly progressing macular degeneration.
5. An optical coherence tomography, which uses light waves to obtain high-resolution photos of the eye. This light is able to penetrate tissues in the same way that sound waves capture tissues during an ultrasound.

Contact a Macular Degeneration Specialist Orange County CA Locals Recommend

If you are having vision issues and would like to meet with a macular degeneration specialist in Orange County CA, please contact Retina Eye Associates. We have three convenient locations in Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Laguna Hills.

Call a macular degeneration specialist Orange County CA today at the location of your choice or fill out the contact form on our website.

Patient Reviews

    
 
 
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   Hal Taylor 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Eifrig was willing to answer questions unrelated to my retinal condition.
  
 
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   J Hardee 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everyone is friendly and professional
  
 
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   Dennis Eckel 
 4 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Pleasant waiting room experience. Friendly patient service staff. Competent PAs. Insightful diagnosis. Practical remedies. Give ‘em a try.
  
 
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   Marykay Lance 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I didn't have to wait for my appointment, the office is run efficiently by pleasant people, and Dr Eifrig and the entire staff is efficient, knowledgeable, friendly and I didn't have to deal with AI once. Maybe
  
 
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   Monique Dube 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Every one there are friendly and knowledgeable. I will recommend to anyone that need this kind of care
  
 
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   James Fan 
 6 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very detailed eye check up, and Dr Goldman explained all the results very clearly.
  
 
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   Roz Cole 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Prompt & efficient.
  
 
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   Andy Shields 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional office
  
 
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   PBofLN 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been seeing Dr. Eifreg for a number of years now since he reattached my almost completely detached retina. He is an excellent doctor and surgeon. He never rushes me through my appointments and answers any questions I have. In addition, he is personable, can be funny, and is just a very nice man. From the front office staff to the assistants who check your eyes before you see Dr, Eifreg, they are all extremely efficient. I am now on yearly maintenance visits and they always contact my insurance for a referral before my appointment. I also always get an appointment reminder text or call. But what’s really amazing - This is a VERY busy practice and I am always seen on time or within maybe 15 mins of my appointment time. I don’t know how they do it, but this office runs like a well-oiled machine. And to top it off, EVERYONE is helpful, cheerful and has a “service” attitude at all times. I know this all sounds too good to be true, but it is honestly the case at Dr. Eifreg’s office. I am so glad my primary doctor sent me to Dr. Eifreg for my retina surgery. Of course the most important thing is that he’s an excellent surgeon, but it’s also wonderful that he runs a great office with an exceptional staff!
  
 
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   Deb Hanna 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everyone at this office was very friendly.
The office was definitely busy but It was my first visit there and they still made me feel welcome and cared for.
Dr Gupta explained my condition so I could easily understand it and was very pleasant to talk with. I had to leave another Retina group because of an insurance change but think the transition to this new group went smoothly and will be a good fit for me moving forward.

Macular Degeneration Specialist Orange County, CA

Macular Degeneration Testing

Contact a Macular Degeneration Specialist Orange County CA Locals Recommend

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