Other Conditions

Lattice Degeneration

Lattice degeneration is a common condition in which the peripheral retinal tissue becomes abnormally thin. The retinal blood vessels also become damaged and stiff, leading to the formation of round or oval-shaped legions in the far peripheral retina. This is what creates the condition’s distinct lattice-like appearance.

Lattice degeneration does not cause any symptoms on its own and may go unnoticed. In the vast majority of cases, the condition is not serious and does not require treatment. However, because the retinal tissue is already fragile, patients with lattice degeneration are sometimes more vulnerable to serious conditions such as retinal tears or detachment.

For more information, please visit the American Society of Retina Specialists website.

Uveitis

Uveitis is a condition in which the uvea, the middle layer of tissue in the eye, becomes inflamed. Redness and swelling can occur in the front, middle, or back of the uvea. Depending on where the condition manifests, symptoms have varying degrees of intensity. In severe cases, all layers of the uvea are affected. Common symptoms include:

• Eye redness
• Swelling
• Eye pain
• Blurry or decreased vision
• Light sensitivity

If left untreated, uveitis can lead to serious complications such as cataracts and glaucoma. As such, it’s important to get treated right away.

Flashes & Floaters

Flashes in vision are caused by pressure on the retina, the bundle of nerves in the back of the eye where images are detected and transmitted to the brain. Patients complain of flashing lights or lightning streaks.

Floaters are often seen when fibers move within the vitreous humor, the gelatinous substance made of water and protein fibers that fills the eye. Patients complain of small specks or dots that can be seen against clear backgrounds. Serious vision loss can occur if the retina or vitreous detach from the eye wall.

Many Flashes can be treated via laser surgery. This is done as an outpatient procedure. A YAG Vitreolysis laser is used to vaporize the floater and makes it smaller or disappear.

After a YAG Vitreolysis treatment, the patient should notice a difference within a few days. If not, surgical options can be discussed at that time.

Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a vision condition affecting nearly a third of people in the United States. The eye focuses properly on nearby objects, while distant objects appear blurry. This imbalance typically occurs either because the eye has an oblong shape (astigmatism) or the cornea is excessively curved, so that only some of the light entering the eye focuses on the retina. It is critical to have eye exams to look for retinal tears, retinal detachment and macular disease. These are all treatable conditions. Other procedures – refractive or laser surgery, or orthokeratology (non-invasive corrective contact lenses) – may also be helpful.

Vitreous Hemorrhage

The vitreous is the gel-like substance that makes up approximately two-thirds of the eye’s volume and is located in between the lens in the front of the eye and the retina in the back of the eye. In normal, healthy vitreous gel, there are no blood vessels, but diseases such as diabetic retinopathy can lead to the development of new blood vessels which can grow into the vitreous gel.

A vitreous hemorrhage occurs when one of these blood vessels ruptures and causes bleeding within the vitreous gel, causing visual symptoms. Patients with vitreous hemorrhage usually notice a sudden, significant increase in the number and size of floaters blocking their vision. Severe bleeding can also cause vision to appear blurry, cloudy or hazy. Treatment for a vitreous hemorrhage may include vitrectomy, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, or intravitreal injections.