Macular degeneration is an eye condition in which damage to your retina’s macula causes painless distortion and central vision loss.

Slow the progression of macular degeneration with supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc. If you suffer from wet macular degeneration, however, an eye doctor can inject drugs to stop new blood vessels from growing and prevent leaks that damage vision.

1. Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is an emergency eye condition in which the retina detaches from its supporting tissues, threatening permanent vision loss unless treated quickly and appropriately.

The retina is an inner lining at the back of each eyeball that converts light into nerve signals, which are transmitted to our brains where they are decoded into images we perceive. A layer of tissue called the choroid provides nourishment to support its operation. The macula is an integral component of retina, collecting detailed visual images for central vision. Deterioration in this area may lead to macular degeneration, leading to blurriness or darker patches appearing in central vision. Macular degeneration comes in two forms, dry and wet macular degeneration. Dry macular degeneration occurs most commonly, when fatty deposits called drusen accumulate under the retina and block blood vessel growth and scar the macula, stopping it from functioning correctly and leading to further vision loss. Wet macular degeneration is more severe and could rapidly reduce vision levels over time.

People with a history of retinal detachment or severe nearsightedness are at higher risk for retinal detachment than others, though complications from cataract surgery or eye injuries could also put one at risk. To protect yourself against retinal detachment, regularly schedule dilated eye exams with Dr. Richlin OD & Associates for regular examinations with dilation lenses.

If you suspect retinal detachment, don’t wait – get in touch with THIRDCOAST RETINA immediately so our team of experts can find a treatment option tailored specifically to you.

Signs of retinal detachment or tear include an opaque shadow across your central vision that does not vanish with blinking. Other symptoms of detachment or rupture include difficulty seeing straight ahead, gradual vision loss and sudden appearance of dark spots or “pulling of curtains” feeling over eyes. If any of these symptoms arises immediately seek medical advice as over 85% of detached retinas can be successfully repaired through surgical intervention.

2. Injection site infection

Aseptic injection techniques should always be utilized, as infections at injection sites can arise without them, leading to endophthalmitis, retinal detachments or other eye damages. If symptoms indicate such an infection exists, the patient should contact a retina specialist immediately.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which causes blurring and blind spots in the center of retina known as macula, can be treated using various drugs available today. They work by inhibiting an activity protein that stimulates blood vessel growth within eyes; this therapy has helped significantly decrease vision loss in people diagnosed with AMD while even improving some people’s sight in some instances.

Ranibizumab, administered intravitreally, is one of the most widely prescribed treatments. It works by binding to vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein which stimulates abnormal blood vessel formation beneath the retina in the choroid layer – overgrowth is what leads to vision loss in wet AMD; ranibizumab can also effectively treat diabetic macular edema resulting from fluid leakage from blood vessels in the eye caused by diabetes.

Brolucizumab, which must be administered by a retina specialist, is another anti-VEGF treatment administered intravitreally and designed to slow wet AMD progression and treat neovascular macular degeneration by inhibiting VEGF and angiopoietin production. A monthly injection requires regular monitoring from an ophthalmologist so as to ensure the correct dose is being given.

Researchers from University of California Berkeley and Stanford conducted a joint investigation on 6,175 patients who underwent intravitreal injection of either ranibizumab or bevacizumab for neovascular AMD, using propensity score matching to compare outcomes between them and individuals not receiving anti-VEGF injections; it found that anti-VEGF injections can have low rates of postinjection complications when properly administered.

3. Retinal hemorrhage

Retinal hemorrhage occurs when blood vessels in the retina – the thin layer of nerve tissue at the back of your eye that detects light and allows you to see – leak or rupture, leading to vision loss that requires prompt treatment. Hemorrhages may affect macula or other parts of retina; their causes could range from diabetes and high blood pressure to adverse side effects from certain medications.

Macular degeneration refers to any breakdown or deterioration of the central portion of your retina called the macula, which provides your central vision and allows you to read, drive and perform other tasks easily. When damaged, this area may produce blurriness, dark areas or distortion that makes everyday activities like threading a needle difficult.

Macular degeneration usually does not cause immediate symptoms; regular eye exams will detect small deposits called “drusen”, made up of yellow protein deposits under the retina called drusen that could gradually grow larger over time and eventually result in vision loss; however, macular degeneration does not cause total blindness; advanced cases often still retain useful peripheral vision to allow them to carry out activities that bring joy to them.

Ophthalmologists often prescribe ranibizumab, sold under the brand name Lucentis, to reduce abnormal new blood vessel growth and leakage from these vessels. According to research published by Science Translational Medicine, Lucentis may also cause abnormal retinal hemorrhages in certain patients.

Lucentis users who experience retinal hemorrhaging could be due to its ability to inhibit a protein responsible for cell migration and proliferation, leading them to migrate towards the retina where they tear across blood vessels causing bleeding into their vitreous cavity. Researchers conducted both laboratory tests as well as imaging techniques in this study in order to assess this phenomenon of retinal hemorrhage caused by this medication.

4. Eye irritation

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that attacks the macula, the center of your retina that allows for clear vision of fine details and straight ahead. When macular degeneration sets in, light signals from it travel down your optic nerve into your brain for processing; when this process breaks down you experience blurriness, dark areas, distortion in vision and distortion as the macula loses sensitivity resulting in blurriness, dark areas or distortion to your central vision. Without treatment macular degeneration may even cause blindness; there are two forms: wet and dry macular degeneration; with wet forms progressing more quickly than dry.

Medication may help slow the progression of wet macular degeneration. A common example is ranibizumab (Lucentis), which works by inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth that leak fluid and blood into the eye, thus protecting against further loss of vision. Regular injections should be given into each eye at regular intervals in order to prevent further vision loss.

After an injection procedure may irritate or cause discomfort to your eyes, artificial tears or lubricating ointment should help soothe them. If any sudden discomfort develops or vision changes occur, contact your physician immediately and report these to them as well.

Injections may increase the risk of endophthalmitis, an infection which can lead to eye scarring and permanent visual loss. To reduce this side effect, your ophthalmologist will wash and disinfect the eye using povidone-iodine drops prior to administering injections using 19 gauge x 1-1/2 inch sterile injection needle and luer lock syringe for medication administration into your eye.

Most side effects from injections for macular degeneration tend to be minor and will subside without medical intervention, although severe complications should be reported immediately to your ophthalmologist if they arise. Regular dilated eye exams can detect early signs of macular degeneration so you can seek treatment sooner before it progresses into wet macular degeneration.