Retinal Disease near Kansas City, KS

Simply put, retinal disease is anything that affects your retina (the back layer of your eye), including the macula. Some common retinal diseases include diabetes-related retinopathy, retinal detachment, retinal tears, retinitis pigmentosa, and more. Retinal diseases can be inherited or caused by damage to the retina, infection, high blood pressure, and more. Symptoms often include eye floaters or flashes, blurry vision, and blind spots. At Heart of America Eye Care, we test for retinal disorders during a routine eye exam and offer a range of treatment options. To learn more, contact one of our locations in Overland Park or Shawnee Mission, KS, or Belton, MO.

Once we determine the cause of your retinal disease, we can create a treatment plan. The treatment will vary depending on the type of disease you have. However, a few common treatments include:

• Vitrectomy: For retinal detachments, foreign objects in the eye, infections
• Medical injections into the vitreous: Inflammatory eye diseases, eye infections, advanced diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and more
• Laser treatment: Misplaced or overgrown blood vessels, retinal tears, and more

While treatment may not always stop the disease, it can help slow down progression and reduce symptoms.

How can I tell if I might have a retinal disease?
Retinal diseases often present subtle symptoms that might be easy to overlook. Common signs include experiencing eye floaters or flashes, blurry vision, and noticeable blind spots. These symptoms could indicate a variety of retinal issues, such as retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy. If you notice any of these changes in your vision, it’s crucial to consult with an ophthalmologist promptly for a comprehensive eye exam.

What should I expect during a retinal disease diagnostic exam?
At Heart of America Eye Care, our diagnostic process for retinal diseases is thorough. During your eye exam, an ophthalmologist will use specialized equipment to look at the back of your eye, including the retina and macula. This may include imaging tests like OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans, which allow us to view cross-sections of the retina to detect any abnormalities or changes. Our goal is to identify any issues early so that we can manage them effectively.

How often should I get checked for retinal diseases?
The frequency of eye exams for checking retinal diseases depends on your age, genetic risk factors, and the presence of any underlying conditions that could affect your eye health, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Typically, adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. However, if you’re at higher risk for retinal diseases or have experienced symptoms like floaters, flashes, or sudden changes in vision, more frequent checks may be necessary.

Retinal diseases impact millions of people annually and can be caused by genetics, injury, infection, and more. Often discovered during a routine eye exam, our goal at Heart of America Eye Care is to find retinal diseases as early as possible so we can properly treat them. While it's not always possible to eliminate the disease altogether, there are methods we can take to slow down the progression and reduce symptoms in order to optimize your eye health. For more information, schedule an exam at any of our locations in Overland Park or Shawnee Mission, KS, or Belton, MO.