Vitreoretinal Surgical Services
What is vitreoretinal surgery?
Vitreoretinal (retina) surgeons are ophthalmologists specializing in the surgical treatment of all retina diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, macular holes, and diabetic retinopathy.
How are retinal surgeons different from other ophthalmologists?
Training. Following medical school, retinal surgeons complete a three-residency followed by a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery.
What types of disorders do Emory's retinal specialists tackle?
Emory Eye Center retina specialists are well known for treating many complex retinal diseases including advanced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), cancers of the eye, complex surgical disorders as well as genetic eye disease.
Techniques and instruments developed by Eye Center retina surgeons for surgery on the retina and vitreous, the jelly-like substance that fills the eye, are used by ophthalmic surgeons from across the globe.
Do Emory Eye Center physicians work with other specialties?
These physicians work hand-in-hand with research scientists with expertise in molecular genetics, immunology, drug delivery, cell biology, ocular pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry.
Clinical research into macular degeneration has included antioxidants, new drug delivery systems, retinal cell transplantation, gene therapy, and retinal translocation surgery.
What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 55 and affects about one-third of all Americans over age 65. Because older people make up the fastest growing segment of our population, macular degeneration is a significant public health issue. Located in the center of the retina, the macula is the size of this “o” and is the critical area we use for reading and central vision. The disease leads to loss of central vision and can make it impossible for affected individuals to drive, read and care for themselves
What are the symptoms of AMD?
Patients with early forms of the disease may not experience any macular degeneration symptoms. They may have drusen, or yellowish deposits underneath the retina. Patients with later forms of the disease may experience a loss of central vision and may view straight objects, such as doorways or lines of print, as wavy or curved.
Are there different forms of AMD?
There are two forms of late AMD: the nonexudative, or dry form, accounting for 80-90 percent of affected patients. and exudative, or wet form, which affects about 10 percent of patients.
Excudative. One-fourth of all Americans over age 75 have the wet form of AMD, which can significantly damage vision. Wet AMD can cause the pigment epithelium underneath the retina to detach, distorting vision.
In addition, abnormal capillaries originating from the layer behind the retina called the choroid may form and leak fluid and blood underneath the retina. The choroid's blood vessels, combined with tissue, can form a scar-like membrane under the retina and block central vision. This membrane is called a choroidal neovascularization membrane (CNVM). A majority of patients with severe vision loss from AMD have CNVM.
Can AMD be prevented?
Modifying one's lifestyle may reduce the odds for early AMD
- Don't smoke.
- Consume a low-fat diet.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and nuts.
- Include 2-3 servings fish per week in your diet.
- Exercise regularly (walking, cycling, swimming, etc.)
- Wear sunglasses and/or hat to protect against chronic sun exposure.