Santa Ana Retinal Consultants
At Retina Associates of Orange County, our board-certified eye doctors treat patients in the Southern California community for a wide range of ocular conditions, including retinal detachment. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, or suspect that you may have developed retinal detachment, please contact us to schedule a consultation with our Santa Ana retinal consultants. After a thorough examination and diagnosis, we can advise you of your treatment options and address any questions and/or concerns you may have.
What is the retina?
At the back of the eye, there is a membrane that is light sensitive. This membrane is called the retina. When light enters the eye, the lens of the eye focuses on what it detects onto the retina. The retina then sends information about what it detects to the brain via the optic nerve. Clear vision relies on a healthy and symbiotic relationship between the brain, retina, lens, cornea, and other important parts of the eye. When the health of the retina is compromised, significant vision impairment and other consequences can result. It is for this reason that it’s important to connect with our Santa Ana retinal consultants if you suspect that your retina has been damaged in any way.
When does retinal detachment occur?
When the retina detaches from the eye, this condition is referred to as retinal detachment. As a result of detachment, a patient will generally experience a partial or a complete loss of vision. The degree of vision loss is wholly dependent on how much of the retina is detached from the eye. When retinal detachment occurs, the retina’s cells are deprived of necessary oxygen which is why this condition is treated as a medical emergency. If you are experiencing a sudden change in your vision, contact our Santa Ana retinal consultants without delay. If a detached retina is left untreated, or treatment is not immediate, a permanent loss of vision is a possibility.
What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
It may surprise you to learn that pain is not generally a symptom of retinal detachment. More often, symptoms of retinal detachment may manifest as follows:
- The individual may experience blurry vision.
- The individual may notice a sudden flash of light that appears to them when they look to the side.
- The individual may see a number of small black flecks or string-like objects in their vision. These flecks or objects are referred to as floaters.
- The individual may experience a partial loss of vision with dark shadows that are similar to a curtain that is drawn across their field of vision.
Is there more than one type of retinal detachment?
There are three types of retinal detachment. After an examination, your eye doctor can tell you which version you may be experiencing:
- Tractional. If there is scar tissue on the surface of the retina, and that scar tissue contracts, it will cause the retina to separate from the eye. This situation is more common among those who suffer from diabetes mellitus.
- Exudative. There are several health conditions that can affect the retina and cause it to detach from the eye. These conditions include: cancer behind the retina, fluid accumulation behind the retina due to an inflammatory disorder, and Coats’ Disease.
- Rhegmatogenous. This type of retinal detachment is indicative of a hole or tear in the retina. The damage permits fluid that is within the eye to leak out and access the back of the retina. This causes a separation between the retina and the membrane known as the retinal pigment epithelium. Because the retina needs the oxygen and nourishment that is supplied by this membrane, the fluid-based separation will cause the retina to detach. This is the most common form of retinal detachment.
For a comprehensive eye examination from a board-certified and experienced eye doctor, contact our Santa Ana retinal consultants to schedule a consultation. We look forward to assisting you.