Damage to the retina can cause permanent vision loss or complete blindness. Therefore, it is imperative to seek out treatment immediately if you suspect retinal problems. Doctor Dudee at Medical Vision Institute has extensive experience in identifying and recommending treatment for retinal conditions.
The retina is a thin layer of tissue located inside the eye. It covers about 65% of the interior surface and is responsible for receiving light that has passed through the cornea and been focused by the lens. It then turns that light into neurological signals with the optic nerve and sends them on to the brain to create visual images.
Macular degeneration can affect one or both eyes, and initially causes a distortion of central vision that can make straight lines look wavy or crooked. Macular degeneration can also progress worsen to the point where it reduces central vision and impairs reading ability. It even has the potential to progress to the more sight-threatening form of the disease called “wet” macular degeneration. Fortunately, less invasive treatments for new cases of “wet” or advanced macular degeneration are now available.
If you believe you are experiencing any symptoms of macular degeneration, then please schedule an appointment with Dr. Dudee at Medical Vision Institute, as treatment may be urgent!
The retina contains a layer of photoreceptor cells, rods and cones. These are light- sensitive cells that detect qualities such as color and light intensity. Cones perform in bright light and give detailed colored images. In contrast, rods are exceedingly sensitive and perform in light that is too dim for the cones, but are unable to distinguish color, or create a well-defined image. There are approximately 125 million of these cells intermingled over the retina. In the center of the retina (the macula) is the fovea centralis, the part of the macula that provides the eye’s sharpest vision and the most color reception.
The Fovea Centralis is made up exclusively of cones and they are smaller and more densely packed than anywhere else on the retina. The information from these cells is processed and sent on to the brain through the optic nerve. The brain then takes this information and uses it to create sharp visual images. Unfortunately, if a patient has macular degeneration that is so advanced the fovea centralis is involved, their vision will be extremely limited or, in some cases, completely lost.
The retina (and macula) is absolutely vital to your vision. Damage to it can cause permanent vision loss or complete blindness. Please contact Dr. Dudee and the staff at Medical Vision Institute in Lexington, KY if you believe you have suffered damage to your retina.
The Amsler Grid is a tool that we use to detect vision changes resulting from damage to the macula.
If you do notice any distortion in the grid, it is important that you contact Dr. Dudee as soon as possible.
There are two types of Macular Degeneration. Dry Macular Degeneration occurs when the cells of the macula slowly begin to break down. Eventually, there is a deterioration of the macular regions associated with the drusen deposits resulting in a loss of straight ahead vision. Wet Macular Degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the macula and then bleed.
Age-related Macular Degeneration is an eye disease that can cause central vision loss in older people, typically affecting those 55 years or older.
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