Retina Disease Specialist in Fredericksburg, VA

Exams to detect diabetic vision damage is another very common reason patients seek treatment at Access Eye. Diabetes can have a profound effect on blood vessels in general, and in specific, on blood vessels of the retina. This effect on the blood vessel can cause a variety of problems of the vitreous/retina, which are collectively called “Diabetic Retinopathy.” Examples include leakage of fluid within the retina or even formation of new disorganized small vessels prone to hemorrhage. Unfortunately, many patients are unaware of these problems until significant damage has already occurred. It is therefore important that each diabetic patient has a retinal examination at least annually and more often as indicated by the presence of disease in the eye.

Macular Degeneration

The central part of the Retina is called the “macula.” If one looks directly at an object, then the image from the object is centered on the macula part of the retina. The macula is responsible for our fine, detailed vision straight in front of us. This is in contrast to our peripheral vision, which encompasses a much larger area on each side but lacks detail. Macular Degeneration is unfortunately a common, degenerative disease affecting this crucial area of central vision in many seniors who come for their care to Access Eye. The disease has a “dry” and a “wet” type having to do with whether there is leakage of fluid from the aberrant growth of blood vessels in the retina. Although still a formidable disease and a serious public health concern, many advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease within the past two decades.