Retina Specialist in Santa Ana
You might be wondering what a Santa Ana retina specialist is and what they do. If you don’t know what a retina specialist is, it can be shocking and a little confusing when your doctor wants you to see one.
If you have been recommended to see a Santa Ana retina specialist, then here’s a basic rundown of what this type of doctor does for you and your eyes.
What is a Retina Specialist?
Retina specialists are highly skilled physicians and surgeons that are committed to helping people with retinal conditions. Their main goal is to help you preserve and improve your vision so that you can see for a lifetime.
You might be thinking that’s what your typical eye doctor does, but a retinal specialist is someone who specialized in ophthalmology and is sub-specialized in diseases and surgery of the vitreous body of the eye and the retina. These doctors are highly trained and must complete medical school and specialized training in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal training. You can expect a retina specialist to complete the following steps:
- Four years of medical school
- At least one year of an internship
- Three years of ophthalmology residency
- 1 to 2 years of retina-vitreous fellowship
What A Retina Specialist Does
When it’s recommended that you see a retina specialist, you may wonder why you need to see a specialist. A retina specialist diagnoses retinal diseases using various highly technical equipment and testing. Often they work with hospitals and clinics, treating a wide variety of eye conditions that both adults and children.
These specialists are often doing medical and surgical procedures that are extremely sophisticated and extremely delicate on tissue thinner than a butterfly’s wing. The specialist preconditions range from age-related macular degeneration and retinal detachment to cancers of the eye. These specialists can also treat patients who have experienced severe eye trauma and children and adults with hereditary diseases of the eye.
Some of the most common conditions and diseases that a retina specialist will treat are:
- Age-related macular degeneration: This is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys the sharp central vision that is needed for seeing objects clearly and for daily tasks.
- Diabetic retinopathy: This is a disease of the small blood vessels that nourish the retina and is most common in those with type I diabetes.
- Macular hole/pucker: When scar tissue has formed in the eye macula, located in the center of the retina, it can cause blurred and distorted central vision.
- Retinal detachment or tears: This is when the retina has begun to pull away from the vitreous it can cause flashes and floaters.
- Endophthalmitis: This is a rare but severe information affecting the vitreous fluid of the eye.
If your typical eye doctor suspects you’re showing symptoms of one of the above conditions than seeing a retina specialist can help you properly diagnose and treat these and other conditions that can severely affect vision if left untreated. The team at the Retina Associates of Orange County can help answer any more questions that you might have.