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Saudi Retina Group General Retina

11

Jan

What to Expect at Your First Retina Appointment

Your first appointment with a retina specialist can seem daunting. Patients aren’t always sure of what to expect, what’s needed of them, and what the experience will entail. On top of these concerns, if you’re visiting our office, you are dealing with a retina issue that could be impeding your quality of life and daily activities. Our goal is to offer a world-class patient experience – from the moment you enter our door to the moment you leave – that is stress-free. Our teams are highly trained and dedicated to treating you with the utmost respect and compassion. Your First Visit A first appointment/consultation with our office is highly comprehensive. Patients can be surprised at the amount of time required for a first visit, but in order to provide effective care, we need to have as much information about your retina situation as possible. Most patients will need to spend around 2-3 hours with us during the exam process, which includes: Preliminary imaging The screening process A full examination by your doctor Additional diagnostic testing (if needed); some additional testing can be performed same-day Treatment (if needed); some treatment can be performed same-day How can I prepare for my visit? For your first appointment, you will be given the opportunity to complete your new patient paperwork online. If you do not wish to complete necessary paperwork prior to your visit or need further assistance, we kindly recommend that you arrive 15 minutes early. Please be sure to bring the following with you: Your insurance card If your insurance requires a physician referral, please obtain the referral prior to your appointment. A photo ID List of any medications you are taking (including eye glasses and eye drops) A confirmed plan to travel home safely Your eyes will be dilated during your visit, making your vision blurry and your eyes more sensitive to light for several hours. If you are not using public transportation, or do not feel comfortable driving yourself home, please consider arranging transportation.

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Saudi Retina Group Retinal Treatment

10

Jan

Izervay: FDA Approved Breakthrough for Geographic Atrophy

For the estimated 11 million Americans living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), geographic atrophy (GA) can be a daunting reality. Approximately 20% of patients with AMD will develop geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry AMD characterized by the progressive loss of healthy retinal tissue over time. The gradual loss of vision in the central part of the retina can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Until earlier this year, there were no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatments available to patients with geographic atrophy. In February 2023, Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) became the first FDA-approved treatment for geographic atrophy, and now, the FDA has approved a second medication, Izervay (avacincaptad pegol). These medications were designed to target and neutralize genetic changes associated with the “complement cascade”, a part of the immune system responsible for regulating inflammation and immune response. In geographic atrophy, an overactive complement system can contribute to the destruction of retinal cells, exacerbating the condition. Clinical studies have shown that intravitreal injections of these medications approximately every 1-2 months are effective at reducing the rate of enlargement of areas of atrophy, and that this effect increases with longer treatment duration. Syfovre and Izervay aim to slow down the progression of geographic atrophy and offer a ray of hope for preserving central vision in AMD patients. What This Means for Patients The approval of Syfovre and Izervay represents a groundbreaking moment in the field of ophthalmology. Our retina specialists are excited to offer these breakthrough treatments to Central Texas patients with geographic atrophy. As with any medical treatment, it's essential to consult with your physician to explore whether these treatments are a suitable option for you.

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Saudi Retina Group Retina Conditions

10

Jan

Retinopathy of Prematurity: What You Need to Know

In the womb, a baby’s eyes start to develop at around the sixth week of pregnancy. At this point, the eyes are just two small protrusions emanating from the brain. In the months that follow, these protrusions grow and become increasingly complex. When babies are born prematurely, their eye development is interrupted. Babies who are born before 32 weeks of gestation or weighing 3.3 pounds or less are vulnerable to a potentially blinding eye disorder known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The smaller babies are at birth, the more likely they are to develop this potentially debilitating disorder. Characteristics of ROP ROP causes abnormal blood vessels to develop in the retina. If these blood vessels leak or bleed, they can leave scars on the retina that can lead to retinal detachment. Left untreated, this can cause abnormal eye movements, crossed eyes, extreme nearsightedness, and leukocoria, which is a cloudy white circle that appears in the center of the eye when a light is shone into it. The Stages of ROP The severity of the condition is classified in stages, ranging from stage I (mild) to stage V (severe): Stage I: In these mild cases, abnormal blood vessel growth is minimal. Children may not require treatment and can even eventually develop totally normal vision. Stage II: This stage is similar to stage I except there is an increase in abnormal blood vessel growth. Nevertheless, the condition may still heal on its own without advancing. Stage III: At this stage, there is a lot of abnormal blood vessel growth, especially around the central portion of the eye instead of along the retina’s surface. Although normal vision development is still possible, at this stage it’s likely that treatment will be necessary. Stage IV: During this stage, the retina becomes partially detached. Stage V: At this stage, the retina becomes entirely detached. If left untreated, the baby is likely to experience advanced vision problems or even blindness. How Common is ROP? Although ROP is a serious condition, it’s worth noting that severe cases are relatively rare, even among premature babies: Out of the 3.9 billion babies born annually in the U.S., only about 14,000 babies will be diagnosed with ROP About 90% will have a mild case of ROP Up to 1,150 ROP babies will develop a severe case that requires treatment Every year, only 400–600 babies in the U.S. become legally blind because of ROP How Is ROP Treated? The main treatment options for ROP are medications injected directly into the eye or laser therapy. With proper treatment, it’s possible to save the baby’s vision. In order to start treatment as soon as possible, it’s important that you have your baby’s eyes checked by an ophthalmologist after coming home from the hospital. If you recently gave birth to a premature baby and are concerned about your baby’s vision, contact the experts at Austin Retina Associates.

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Saudi Retina Group Retina Conditions

10

Jan

Three Commonly Misdiagnosed Retinal Conditions

It can be difficult for doctors and patients alike to understand why a medical misdiagnosis has taken place. However, there are many reasons why an incorrect diagnosis could occur. One reason is that there are countless medical conditions that can closely mirror one another – even to such a degree that a trained and experienced medical professional with advanced diagnostic equipment could choose one condition over the correct issue. One of the ways the medical industry (including the field of retina care) works to reduce instances of misdiagnoses is to better educate the community, particularly in cases where the condition is well known for being misdiagnosed. At Austin Retina Associates, we want to ensure that our doctors are armed with all available knowledge for patient care and that patients can feel confident in the decisions their doctors are making. Three Commonly Misdiagnosed Retinal Conditions Macular Hole Often, patients who are referred to our practice by another doctor have been told that they have a macular hole, but what they actually have is a lamellar macular hole. The reason the two conditions are confused is that a macular hole is simply a more severe version of a lamellar macular hole. To further illustrate: A macular hole extends through all of the retina layers; a lamellar macular hole does not. A macular hole requires surgical treatment; a lamellar macular hole usually isn’t treated with surgery unless the patient’s vision worsens. Retinoschisis Sometimes, patients who were told that they have a retinal detachment actually have a condition called peripheral retinoschisis. The reason why the two conditions can be confused is that both feature an elevated retina. However, peripheral retinoschisis has a very thin appearing retina, a particular shape, and sometimes have white dots in its bed which distinguish it from a retinal detachment. The distinction is important since a retinal detachment is sight-threatening and treated with surgery while a peripheral retinoschisis is not sight-threatening and is observed. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion The presence of scattered blot hemorrhages in all four quadrants can be seen in both central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and diabetic retinopathy. Both conditions can also cause visually significant macular edema. The difference between the two conditions ultimately lies in a CRVO diagnosis usually includes venous tortuosity and disc edema. We understand that what makes one retina condition different from another can be found in minute details. Many conditions are quite similar in nature, making a medical misdiagnosis both possible and unfortunately common. The ultimate goal is to never put a patient in a position where they lack confidence in their referring doctor or undergo unnecessary treatment. This is why our practice enjoys so many patient referrals and second opinion requests in order to help ensure the best possible patient care. If you have questions about any of the above conditions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our practice today.

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Saudi Retina Group Retina Conditions

10

Jan

Importance of Routine Diabetic Eye Exams

Many people have delayed their eye exams throughout the pandemic, causing serious and advanced diseases and sometimes resulting in vision loss. This is especially seen among our diabetic patients. More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 88 million US adults are prediabetic. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar, but did you know that it can negatively impact your vision? This Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re raising awareness about the importance of routine eye exams, especially for diabetic patients. If you are diabetic, the production of insulin is disrupted – either your body isn’t producing enough insulin, or it is unable to use the insulin that is being produced. This causes glucose to remain in the bloodstream for a prolonged period of time, which damages your blood vessels. Many health problems can arise from this, including serious vision issues that are most commonly due to damage incurred within the retinal vascular system. Importance of Routine Diabetic Eye Exams Diabetic eye exams should be a regular part of your healthcare routine if you have diabetes. Eye exams will help to diagnose and manage conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. Austin Retina Associates’ board-certified retina specialist Dr. Jose Agustin Martinez encourages diabetic patients to incorporate eye exams into their healthcare routines. “The pandemic has caused patients to delay care and we’re seeing more advanced disease because patients have now waited almost two years to see the doctor for routine eye exams,” says Dr. Martinez. “Our diabetic patients are losing their vision due to undetected diabetic eye disease. I highly recommend diabetic patients schedule an annual diabetic eye exam to prevent vision loss.” When to See a Specialist Diabetic eye disease likely can be managed if diagnosed early. If you have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, plan to have an exam with a diabetic eye specialist annually. We recommend patients with Type 1 diabetes schedule their first exam within five years of being diagnosed. Patients with Type 2 diabetes should schedule their first exam as soon as they are diagnosed. Patients who have delayed their eye care due to the pandemic should schedule an exam as soon as possible. In addition to routine eye exams, if you experience any of the following symptoms you should schedule an appointment with a diabetic eye specialist as soon as possible: ● Blurred vision ● Visual distortions ● Colors appearing dull or faded ● Darkened areas in central vision ● Frequent vision changes ● Floaters ● Flashes of light A sudden increase in floaters or flashes of light in your vision can indicate that the retina is torn or is about to detach. If you experience this, call your doctor right away. Retinal detachment is an emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss.

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Saudi Retina Group General Retina

10

Jan

When Is a Retina Specialist Needed?

The eye is an incredibly sophisticated organ, which makes it simultaneously powerful and vulnerable. While it plays a vital role in how humans gather information about their environment, it is also one of the most fragile organs in the body. As such, it’s crucial that we are proactive about our vision health. March is Save Your Vision Month, and it serves as a reminder to educate yourself about various eye conditions, including retinal problems. The retina is thin and light-sensitive and lines the back of the inner eye, and its function is to acquire light signals and send those signals to the brain to convert them into vision. The retina is susceptible to numerous serious conditions some of which are serious and many require the assistance of a retina specialist. Below are some of the most common retina conditions. Diabetic Retinopathy This condition is a complication caused by diabetes mellitus and is characterized by abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Early on in the disease one may not have any visual symptoms but it can lead to blindness if not monitored and treated as necessary. Age-Related Macular Degeneration The macula is the central portion of the retina and it is responsible for central vision used to read, see color, and recognize fine details. Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula and causing difficulty with fine central visual details. Retinal Holes, Tears, and Detachments Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina becomes separated from the underlying layers of the eye. Left untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss and total blindness. Retinal tears and holes can lead to retinal detachment. Flashes and floaters can be an indicator or predictor of retinal tears, holes or detachment. Other Retinal Conditions In addition to the conditions above, there are many other less serious conditions that need to be assessed and treated by a retina specialist, including: Macular Hole: This is a hole in the macula, which can cause vision to look blurry centrally. Choroidal Melanoma: This is a type of malignant tumor that develops inside the eye between the retina and the sclera. Epiretinal Membrane: This is a thin membrane of tissue that forms on the macula’s surface. It can sometimes cause central vision problems. Retinal Vein Occlusion: This is when the small veins that transport blood away from the retina become blocked. The visual symptoms can range from mild to severe. Uveitis: This type of eye inflammation affects the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye wall. If left untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss.

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