Retina Specialists Pottstown, PA

You definitely need an eye exam at least every year. Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is a great choice. Not only do we have a team that can do your annual checkup, we also have eye specialists on staff should you need one. For example, Pottstown PA residents have retina specialists right here in town at our Pottstown office. Most people don’t give a lot of thought on having an eye specialist but you never know when you might need one. You may have an eye emergency or be diagnosed with an eye disease. There are a few reasons why you may need a retina specialist.

Diabetic Retinopathy

If you suffer from diabetes like millions of Americans do, the disease can cause retinal issues like diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition that needs early treatment and regular care. This eye condition has no signs or symptoms, and an eye doctor is often the first healthcare professional to see signs of diabetes in the small blood vessels of the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of diabetic eye disease; it affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive retinal tissues. Retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among adults with diabetes. Other eye conditions can also result from diabetic retinopathy, such as the buildup of fluid (edema) in a part of the retina called the macula. In fact, about half of all people with diabetic retinopathy will develop macular edema. When macular damage occurs, central vision is damaged and you might have trouble reading or recognizing faces.

People with diabetes are also 2 to 5 times more likely to develop cataracts and glaucoma. Symptoms often go unnoticed until vision loss occurs, which indicates that significant damage has likely already occurred.

Take care of your eyes, especially if you have diabetes. You should be getting a diabetic eye exam at least once a year. In fact, we often recommend eye exams every six months to our patients with diabetes. This allows us to closely monitor your condition and catch issues early.

Detached Retina

When certain trauma occurs, such as a sports injury, fall or car accident, a person can suffer a detachment of the retina. This happens when the retinal layer of tissue is pulled away from its normal position. The retina contains delicate light-sensitive cells, so any detachment is definitely an emergency situation that must be immediately addressed.

Symptoms come on quickly if the retina detaches. Vision is not as clear, and you might see black specks called floaters. Many people see light flashes in one or both eyes, and you also might feel as if a dark curtain has been put into the middle of your vision.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call our emergency number right away or make your way to the nearest emergency room. Retinal detachment must be treated right away because even more of the retina can detach and lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.

Most detachments come from trauma which causes a serious eye injury. It’s always recommended to wear protective eyewear or safety goggles while playing sports or doing activities like trimming trees.

There is a genetic component, so some people are more prone to detachments if these injuries run in the family. The retina can also be weakened by previous eye surgeries if these detachments run in the family or if you’ve had a previous eye surgery. If you have a retinal detachment, our excellent specialists can offer several treatments depending on the type and extent of your injury.

Retina specialists in Pottstown PA’s office of Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania are ready to see you if you need us. If it’s been a while since you had your eyes checked, give us a call to schedule your appointment today. You may not even need a specialist but if you do, we will get you what you need.