Diagnosis and Treatment of Retinal Diseases
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As light enters the eye and strikes the retina, it is transformed into nerve impulses and sent to the brain. Essentially, this process is the means by which we are able to see. Without the retina, vision would not be possible.
During a comprehensive eye examination at the Denver Eye Clinic, the retina is easily viewed with a series of special lenses and devices. Furthermore, when we look inside the eye at the retina, we are able to see the small blood vessels that provide oxygen to this tissue. These blood vessels are the only place in the body that can be seen directly without having to look through skin or tissue. As a result of this, many diseases that affect the body and blood can be first diagnosed in an eye exam. Some of these diseases include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and multiple sclerosis.
Many of these same diseases can affect the way the retina functions. Diabetic retinopathy is the retinal condition caused by diabetes and it is the most common cause of blindness in the United States today. In most cases, as the retina becomes damaged during the course of these disease processes, there are few or no symptoms that the person will notice. As such, the retina can be severely damaged before an eye exam is sought.
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a disease that affects sharp, central vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people 60 years of age and older. This disease is detected during a comprehensive eye exam. There are two categories of ARMD, wet and dry. With an extensive eye exam, Dr. Giltner will be able to determine what treatments and options will best suit your condition.
Unfortunately, when the retinal tissue is damaged, it is usually irreversible. That is why it is important that you have routine eye examinations with special attention directed toward the back of the eye.
At the Denver Eye Clinic, we recognize the importance of this tissue for sight. Dr. Giltner has vast experience in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases. We utilize state of the art equipment such as the OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) to diagnose and treat these conditions.
Call 303-839-7878 to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.