Retina

Atlantic Eye Consultants is proudly teamed with Atlantic Retina Consultants to bring our patients fully comprehensive medical and surgical eye care. Atlantic Retina Consultants specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina, macula and vitreous. They provide the highest level of care for retina-related conditions in a compassionate and personal manner, utilizing state of the art technology.

For your retina concerns please contact:

Gary J. Ganiban, MD

Hetal D. Vaishnav, MD

www.atlanticretinaconsultants.net

What is the retina’s function?

The retina is a layer of tissue in the back of the eye responsible for receiving visual signals and sending them through the optic nerve to the brain. It contains cones, rods, and other light-sensitive cells that organize visual information and allow us to see the world around us.

Retina damage caused by an injury, disease, or age-related eye changes affects your vision. It can lead to permanent vision loss without treatment.

Atlantic Eye Consultants collaborates with Atlantic Retina Consultants, a medical and eye care surgery center, to diagnose and treat retinal diseases.

The team completes a comprehensive eye exam and can refer you to the retinal specialists for additional diagnostic screenings and high-quality care.

Which diseases affect the retina?

Several diseases can affect the health and function of your retinas, including:

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy develops when the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye break down due to high blood sugar levels. This causes fluid to leak under the retina and the retina to swell, distorting vision.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration occurs when the macula at the retina's center deteriorates, causing loss of central vision.

Retinal tears

A retinal tear occurs when the gellike substance (vitreous) that fills the eyeball shrinks and pulls on the retina, tearing the tissue.

Retinal detachment

When a retinal tear happens, fluid can leak through. Retinal detachment occurs when the fluid lifts the retina from the other tissue layers.

When should I schedule a diagnostic evaluation for retina problems?

If you notice symptoms of retinal disease, including floaters, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Atlantic Eye Consultants. Floaters appear as specks or webs that drift past your visual field and can sometimes be large enough to interfere with your vision.

Other potential warning signs of retinal disease include:

• Blurred vision
• Distorted vision
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Vision loss

The team reviews your risk factors for retinal disease, which can include obesity, smoking, and diabetes. You might also be at higher risk of vision loss if you have a family history of retinal detachment or other retinal diseases.

Your provider works closely with the Atlantic Retina Consultants team on your care to protect your long-term vision and eye health.

Call the Atlantic Eye Consultants office nearest you today to schedule a retina exam, or book an appointment online.