Retinal Surgery and Ophthalmology in Ocala, Florida
The retina is the part of the eye that translates what you see into information your brain can understand. When light enters the eye, the cornea and lens focus the image onto the retina, which lies at the back of the eye. Like film in a camera, the retina receives the projected image. This visual information is sent from the retina to the brain via the optic nerve.
Chander N. Samy, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Robert J. Kraut, M.D. are Ocala Eye's retina specialists. They provided care for eye problems and diseases such as:
Macular Degeneration
The retina has many distinct areas that help process visual information. Located in the central area of the retina, the macula is considered to be the visual "sweet spot." The macula allows you to focus on someone's face, read a magazine article, or study a picture. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in its wet form, involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Visual changes include:
- Words on a page look blurred
- Dark or empty area in the center of vision
- Straight lines look distorted
Macular Degeneration Treatment
Dr. Samy and Dr. Kraut will carefully monitor for the progression of macular degeneration. The type of treatment for wet macular degeneration depends on the location, size and other characteristics of the abnormal blood vessels. Possible therapies include:
- Vitamin therapy (for dry macular degeneration) - Anti-oxidants and zinc may reduce the risk of progression from dry to wet macular degeneration in many patients.
- Intraocular Injectable Medications – Several injectable medications are currently available and may be discussed as part of your treatment. These medications are designed to stop the actual growth of the abnormal blood vessels. Over the next few years, even more effective versions are expected to be approved by the FDA.
- Laser surgery - Depending on the location of the abnormal blood vessels, a thermal laser may be the treatment of choice.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) - Visudyne®, a light-sensitive medication, is injected into blood vessels in the patient's arm and travels to the abnormal blood vessels in the macula. A "cold" laser is used to activate the Visudyne® in the eyes and stop or minimize the progression of the abnormal vessels. Multiple treatments are often necessary.
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Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, your body struggles to maintain proper levels of blood glucose. High blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels in the retina and lead to diabetic retinopathy, which can include complications such as micro-aneurysms, abnormal vessel formation, vitreous hemorrhage, and optic nerve damage.
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against loss of vision. By maintaining normal blood glucose levels and controlling your diabetes, the risk of developing a vision problem is minimized.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
The best long term treatment is to successfully control all of the risk factors that are associated with diabetes including obesity, elevated blood glucose, and hypertension. Diabetic retinopathy progression can be minimized if it is diagnosed early in the disease process. Dr. Samy and Dr. Kraut have the latest treatment options at their disposal should surgical intervention be required.
- Laser surgery - Depending on the condition of the eye, a variety of laser treatments can be used to shrink abnormal blood vessels and reduce fluid leakage inside the eye. While the goal of laser surgery is preventing further loss of vision, it does not cure diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, depending on the severity of diabetes, additional vision loss may occur.
- Vitrectomy - With advanced cases, vitreous hemorrhage may occur. In this situation, the growth of abnormal blood vessels causes severe bleeding in the back portion of the eye. Microsurgery can be performed to remove the abnormal vitreous membranes and the blood.
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Floaters and Flashes
When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel inside the eye may begin to clump together making small particles that appear to float across the field of vision. These "floaters" are more apparent when staring at light colored backgrounds such as a blue sky or white wall. Posterior vitreous detachment can cause a more rapid onset of floaters and is more common in people who have had a history of:
- Cataract surgery
- YAG laser surgery
- Nearsightedness
- Inflammation inside the eye
Flashes appear as flashing lights or lightning streaks as vitreous gel pulls on the retina. Flashes are more common as people age, but the increase in frequency of flashes should prompt you to see your Ocala Eye ophthalmologist. A sudden increase in flashes and/or floaters could indicate the presence of a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Prompt scheduling of an evaluation is very important in these situations.
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Macular Holes
During the aging process, changes in the vitreous jelly can also induce a hole in the macula. Since the macula is responsible for producing the sharpest visual images, significant changes in vision can occur such as a dark spot or distortion in the central vision.
Macular Hole Treatment
- Vitrectomy - It is extremely important to have the macular hole repaired using the timeline given to you by your Ocala Eye ophthalmologist. Macular hole surgery involves removal of the vitreous and any membranes surrounding the macular hole. The vitreous cavity is then filled with a temporary gas bubble. In order for the hole to close, proper positioning of the head (face-down position) is required during the post-operative period.
Ocala Eye accepts Medicare and a range of insurance providers. Click here for an updated list.
To learn more about retinal surgery and retina care, contact our ophthalmology office in Ocala, Florida today.
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To schedule an eye care appointment, contact our ophthalmology and laser vision correction offices in Ocala, Florida.
"I knew something was wrong, but I had no idea how close I was to going blind.
Dr. Samy knew immediately what to do, and now my eyes are healthy again. Ocala
Eye saved my eyesight.
Dr. Samy has been absolutely wonderful. He’s thorough and compassionate. He takes the time to answer all my questions. Thanks to him, I can still do the things I love, like gardening and volunteering at Munroe."
Michael Lankenau
Retired NYPD officer and Ocala Eye patient of 25 years
Ocala, Florida
