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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Privacy Policy

Retina Associates of Orange County respects the privacy of every patient and visitor who uses our website at retinaorangecounty.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle the information gathered through this website. It does not cover the information collected in our offices or during your medical care, which is protected separately under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

This policy tells you:

The types of information we gather through this website
How we use that information and who has access to it
How you can review or correct your information
The steps we take to keep your information safe
How we let you know when this policy changes
How to reach us with a privacy question or concern

Information We Collect and How We Use It

Retina Associates of Orange County is the sole owner of the information gathered on this website. We collect only the details you choose to share with us, such as when you complete our appointment request form, send us an email, or call our office. This may include your name, phone number, email address, and anything you include in your message.

We use this information for a single purpose: to respond to your request and provide the care or information you are seeking. We do not sell, rent, or trade your information to outside parties. We will not share what you provide with anyone outside our practice, except when it is necessary to answer your question or arrange your visit, or when the law requires it.

From time to time we may contact you by email or phone about appointments, practice news, or updates to this policy. If you would rather not receive these messages, let us know at any time and we will honor your request.

Your Choices and Rights

You are in control of the information you share with us. At any point, by calling our office or contacting us through the website, you may:

Ask what information we have on file about you
Request that we correct or update that information
Ask us to delete the information we hold
Raise any concern about how your information is used

California residents may have additional rights regarding their personal information under California law. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please reach out to us using the contact details below.

How We Protect Your Information

Safeguarding your information matters to us. When you send us information through this website, we use reasonable technical and administrative measures to keep it secure. Sensitive information transmitted through secure areas of the site is encrypted while it travels to us. You can confirm that a page is secure by looking for “https” at the start of the web address and the lock icon in your browser.

We also protect information beyond the website itself. Access to personal information is limited to staff members who need it to do their jobs, such as scheduling or patient care. Records containing personal information are stored in a secure environment.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies, which are small files placed on your device that help the site work properly and let us recognize returning visitors. Cookies allow us to improve how the website functions and to understand how visitors use it so we can make it better. The information gathered through cookies is not tied to any personally identifiable information about you. Most web browsers let you limit or turn off cookies through their settings if you prefer.

“Do Not Track” Signals

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” feature that signals websites not to track your activity. Because there is no common industry standard for responding to these signals, our website does not currently respond to them. This disclosure is provided in keeping with the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA).

Links to Other Websites

Our website may include links to other sites for your convenience. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of websites we do not operate. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any website you visit after leaving ours.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our practices evolve or as the law changes. When we make a meaningful change, we will post the revised policy on this page with a new effective date. Please review this page from time to time so you stay informed about how we handle your information.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you believe we have not followed it, please contact us right away:

Retina Associates of Orange County 23521 Paseo De Valencia, Suite 207 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Phone: (949) 707-5125

Effective Date: 7/17/26

Patient Reviews

    
 
 
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   Jim Dingwall 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional, courteous and will explain any kind of procedures that you might need.
  
 
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   Kathy Aquino-Wilson 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Gupta and assistants during exam were very professional.
  
 
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   emily guichet 
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 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent care.  Very courteous.
  
 
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   Bill Feuerborn 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was very pleased with the explanations of my condition.All of my questions were answered fully.
  
 
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   Reagan horton 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shout out to Rachel who applied excellent first aid to a scrape on my arm Tuesday am.  She was so nice and sympathetic👍🌹🌹. Thx again Rachel.  Ed Greer
  
 
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   Jamie Brown 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I like the team approach.  Each completes their step of the patient visit culminating in the doctor wrapping it up.  It also felt like I was getting a free second opinion having two doctors check my examination results.
  
 
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   Lana Lukas 
 5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Rathod and his team are absolutely amazing. The most professional knowledgeable caring team I’ve ever been to. The procedure I get is somewhat stressful, but it’s all combed and easy to get through with this office. I highly recommend them to anyone if you must have to deal with Retina issues especially love them.
  
 
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   Eddie Grijalva 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional and attentive to my needs. Answered all my questions and offered solutions for upcoming surgical procedures.
  
 
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   John A Hochgurtel 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 😊👍
  
 
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   Daniel Vu 
 7 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very professional